The poll, reported by The Star, shows Kindiki commanding a significant lead over other potential candidates for the position. Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga is second at 12 per cent, while Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho is third at 9 per cent.
The figures cover only Ruto's supporters, and not all Kenyans, which means they speak to who his base would like on the ticket and not to the wider electorate.
Wanga serves as the ODM chairperson, while Joho previously served as the party's deputy leader before joining the Cabinet as Cabinet Secretary for Mining and Blue Economy.
Both are therefore drawn from ODM, which has been pushing for the deputy president's position in 2027 as part of its working arrangement with UDA.
The survey adds a new angle to that debate. ODM has demanded a bigger share of power in the broad-based arrangement, and the deputy presidency is among the positions that have featured in the discussions.
The Tifa numbers suggest that, among Ruto's own supporters, Kindiki remains the clear favourite, with the two ODM figures far behind.
It is not clear how much weight the President and his allies will give to such polls when making a decision, and no decision on the running mate has been announced.
The report does not say how many people were interviewed, when the survey was conducted or what the margin of error is.
It also does not explain what the remaining respondents said, such as whether they named other candidates or were undecided. Those details will help in judging how firmly the results reflect public opinion.
The numbers are likely to feed the growing talk about how UDA and ODM will share positions before the next election.
Supporters of Kindiki can point to the poll as proof of his standing, while ODM leaders are likely to argue that the party's contribution to the broad-based government deserves a bigger reward.
How the two sides settle the matter is expected to remain one of the most closely watched questions as the campaign season approaches.
Link; https://x.com/TheStarKenya/status/2120804200967786834?a=ZuLvHcWl9KGg-SuAi0I&s=19
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