A new poll by Ipos shows an increased public support for NASA flag bearer Raila Odinga, which now puts him neck to neck with president Uhuru Kenyatta.

According to the IPOS poll, Raila Odinga and his running mate Kalonzo Musyoka enjoy a 42 per cent support from registered voters while President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto support stands at 48 per cent.

Odinga’s support has increased by 12 per cent in the last five months

The study by Ipsos was conducted between May 11 and 23 with a sample size of 2,026 and a margin of error of +/- 2.18 per cent through random face-to-face interviews at the household level in 46 counties.

A similar poll conducted by the same firm in January this year, put Raila’s support at 30 per cent against Uhuru’s 49 per cent. During that period, the opposition had not yet unveiled its flag bearer.

The poll also indicates that the popularity of the opposition has also grown from 34 per cent in the previous poll in January to 41 per cent. Jubilee enjoys a 45 per cent rating.

According to Ipsos research analyst Tom Wolf, Raila’s backing by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and ANC boss Musalia Mudavadi has boosted his presidential bid.

The poll also shows that Uhuru and Raila would each secure victory in four of the former eight provinces.

Uhuru would win in Central Kenya by 88 per cent, Rift Valley with 63 percent, Eastern with 51 per cent and North Eastern by 57 per cent. However, he would only secure 23 per cent in Western, 39 per cent in Nairobi and 26 per cent in Coast.

Raila, on the other hand, would win Nyanza by 76 per cent, Western with 58 per cent, Coast by 59 percent and Nairobi by 51 percent. However, he would secure only 36 per cent of the vote in Eastern, 30 percent in North Eastern and 32 per cent in the Rift Valley.