Friday, August 27, 2010

Kenyans' hopes highest since Narc victory

By ALEX NDEGWA

As Kenyans celebrate a new Constitution that radically improves governance, hope is growing with a survey suggesting the high level of optimism is highest in seven years.

An overwhelming majority (77 per cent) is optimistic about the economic prospects in the next 12 months following the promulgation of the new Constitution by President Kibaki, this Friday.

Such high level of optimism was last recorded in April 2003, four months after the National Rainbow Coalition Government rode to power on a euphoric wave that ended Kanu’s repressive reign.

Kenyans were then rated the most optimistic people in the world, yearning for better governance and service delivery, but the hope dissipated as the new regime that had campaigned on a reform platform got mired in grand corruption and power feuds.

The country’s leadership, which ironically brings together the President and Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who had fired up the optimism before their falling out, has the opportunity to make up to Kenyans.

According to the poll findings released on the eve of the proclamation by Synovate, only 13 per cent of the respondents are not convinced the new law will deliver better economic conditions. Much fewer (10 per cent) are skeptical things could get worse.

Synovate, formerly Steadman, interviewed 1,097 adults across the country on their expectations on governance and economic conditions during the survey conducted between August 22 and 24.

"The current optimism strikes a positive note in many ways, not least investor confidence. The deep sense of patriotism and democracy, especially after emerging from self-destruction during the post-election violence, places the country on a global map as a case study.

investment interests

This is likely to generate local and international investment interests," said Synovate Managing Director, George Waititu.

The pollster noted the public is optimistic in spite of rising food prices – 12.5 per cent and 25 per cent increase in price of bread and milk in the past two months.

The survey shows Kenyans are very confident about Government commitment to implement the new Constitution. Eight in every ten Kenyans (82 per cent) have no doubts about its resolve to implement the new laws, but 13 per cent say "somewhat committed" and three per cent "not committed".

Asked if they were willing to pay more taxes to run the Government under the new law, 56 per cent responded in the affirmative, while the rest said they were not willing.

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