Poll: Kenyans' optimism shoots to 7 year high

Mr George Waititu of Synovate research company speaks during the release of an opinion poll report in the past. A new opinion poll survey by Synovate released on Thursday indicates that 82 per cent of Kenyans think the Government is committed to implementing the new law. FILE | NATION

By MUTAHI BASSE
Posted Thursday, August 26 2010 at 12:59

Majority of Kenyans are “fully confident” about Government’s commitment in ensuring the new laws are implemented, and are willing to pay additional taxes in realising that goal.

And, perhaps for the same reason, Prime Minister Raila Odinga is seen as the person considered most essential in public life.

A new opinion poll survey by Synovate released on Thursday indicates that 82 per cent of Kenyans think the Government is committed to implementing the new law. A lower majority, 52 per cent, are willing to pay more taxes to run the Government under the new law.

Mr Odinga is seen as most essential in the new dispensation for a number of reasons, including his profile, and perhaps more significantly, his contribution to the new Constitution.

“Perhaps this reflects a combination of (Mr) Odinga’s personal history, as both a victim of previous regimes under the old constitution, and a leading figure in guiding the new Constitution into existence”, the Synovate opinion poll report notes.

According to the poll, 42 per cent of Kenyans think Raila is the most important public figure, followed by President Kibaki at 14 per cent.

Both President Kibaki and Mr Odinga are partners in Kenya’s government coalition, which was formed in a negotiated agreement following the disputed 2007 General Elections where more than 1,000 people were killed and nearly half a million others displaced.

Asked “Which political leader in Kenya do you feel most attached to? I mean the one you think the country cannot do without?” respondents rate President Kibaki and Raila as the top two, even with the big percentage margin between them.

Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta is third at seven per cent, followed by Higher Education minister William Ruto (6 per cent), Gichugu MP Martha Karua (2 per cent) and Environment minister John Michuki (1 per cent).

Economic performance

Kenyans are also proud of Government’s performance so far, and are optimistic of the country’s economic performance in the future.

Respondents cited delivering a new Constitution (36 per cent) and economic development (26 per cent) as among the Government’s achievements of which Kenyans are most proud of.

Better education comes third (15 per cent) with democracy and good governance (12 per cent) following closely behind.

Only eight per cent of Kenyans indicated that the Government has done nothing to be proud of.

According to the poll, 77 per cent are optimistic that the new constitution will deliver better economic conditions in the next year.

The report says this kind of optimism was last recorded seven years ago: “It is worth noting that such a high level of optimism was last recorded in April 2003, just after the NARC government came to power.”

The report adds: “It is also useful to note that 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. This is likely to generate local and international investment interests.”