Deputy President Kithure Kindiki leads the race to be President William Ruto's 2027 running mate with 55 per cent support, according to a new TIFA Research survey.
Homa Bay Governor and ODM chairperson Gladys Wanga is a distant second at 12 per cent, with Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho third at 9 per cent.
In TIFA's May poll, Kindiki scored 59 per cent among Ruto supporters, ahead of Wanga at 12 per cent.
The biggest mover is Joho, who has tripled his support from 3 per cent in May to 9 per cent.
Wanga's 12 per cent is unchanged from May, while ODM leader Oburu Odinga, who also scored 3 per cent in May, does not feature in the top three.
An earlier Infotrak poll had Kindiki at 34 per cent, Wanga at 11, Oburu at 5 and Joho at 4.
Infotrak also found Joho at 11 per cent at the Coast, against Kindiki's 23 per cent there.
TIFA said then that voters appeared to favour continuity and stability within Ruto's camp, adding that Kindiki is seen as the option voters find easiest to accept.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has ruled himself out, saying his ambition is the presidency in 2032.
Analysts say a Kindiki ticket could help Ruto secure more than 1.3 million votes from Mt Kenya East.
The poll comes amid calls from some Kenya Kwanza leaders for Ruto to consider a different running mate.
ODM leader Oburu Odinga has announced the party will not field a presidential candidate in 2027 and backs Ruto's re-election bid, raising questions about what ODM will seek from the ticket.
Polls measure preference, not decisions, and the final choice rests with Ruto.
Separately, TIFA's presidential numbers released on Thursday put Ruto and Sifuna tied at 31 per cent.
With the race tightening, the choice of running mate could prove decisive. Joho's rise and Wanga's steady showing suggest ODM's role is still open.
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