A new opinion poll conducted by Swiss Polls has placed Dr Antony Gitonga as the frontrunner in the race for the Othaya parliamentary seat ahead of the 2027 General Election.The survey shows Gitonga leading with 41.

5% support, which translates to about 1,200 respondents, giving him a clear advantage over the current Member of Parliament, Wambugu Wainaina, who follows with 26.1% support from 754 respondents.Other contenders, including Patrick Ngunjiri and Edmond Kimaru, registered 12.0% and 10.1% respectively, while Wahome Thuku received 7.2%.A small portion of respondents, 3.2%, remained undecided, indicating that most voters already have preferred candidates as political competition begins to take shape.According to the report, Gitonga’s rising popularity is strongly linked to his community-focused initiatives and youth empowerment programmes.

Through the Antony Gitonga Foundation, he has supported education sponsorships for needy students, organised medical camps, and assisted farmers with resources and training.

The foundation has also introduced programmes on digital literacy, entrepreneurship, leadership development, and modern farming practices, which many residents view as practical solutions to local challenges.

Residents who participated in the survey expressed a growing preference for younger and more educated leaders who understand modern economic realities, especially issues affecting youth, farmers, and small traders.Gitonga’s supporters describe him as energetic, accessible, and closely connected to grassroots communities.

His influence within the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) and association with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua have also boosted his political profile in the Mt Kenya region.The findings suggest a possible shift in Othaya politics towards youthful leadership ahead of 2027.