Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua was preferred for Ruto by 24.9 per cent of respondents, according to the monthly Radio Africa opinion poll.
Gachagua is a politician and businessman who was a former PA to President Uhuru Kenyatta before shifting his allegiance to Deputy President Ruto.
The second-best potential running mate for Ruto was Martha Karua, picked by 16.4 per cent of respondents; followed by Musalia Mudavadi with 10.3 per cent; Kalonzo Musyoka on 7.2; Peter Kenneth 6.5; Alfred Mutua 4.5; Moses Kuria 4.1; and various others below that. Undecided respondents were 11.0 per cent.