Synovate managing director Maggie Ireri addresses a news conference on the outcome of polls on Kenyans perception towards ICC process at their offices in Nairobi August 19, 2011. The poll showed support for the process has dipped by 12 per cent. PHOEBE OKALL
By PETER MWAI pmwai@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Friday, August 19 2011 at 13:33
Posted Friday, August 19 2011 at 13:33
Kenyans' support for the International Criminal Court process has dipped with only two weeks before the confirmation hearings for the Ocampo Six.
According to a poll by Synovate released Friday, the level of support has fallen by 12 percent since October last year before the names of the post election violence suspects was released in December.
The survey shows that only 56 percent of Kenyans support the process, compared to 68 percent last year. The poll was conducted in July.
The biggest drop has been in Central, Rift Valley and Eastern Provinces, where two suspects, who have declared their presidential ambitions, Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Eldoret North MP William Ruto, enjoy huge support.
“This shows that campaigns by the two are yielding fruits,” said Synovate Kenya managing director, Maggie Ireri while releasing the results in Nairobi.
The other suspects are Head of Public Service Francis Muthaura, Postmaster General Hussein Ali, Tinderet MP Henry Kosgey and radio presenter Joshua Sang.
Support for the cases in Central has fallen from 73 percent last year to 36 percent, in Rift Valley from 61 percent to 37 percent and in Eastern from 71 percent to 50 percent.
“This is in contrast with other provinces where public support for the process remains strong and relatively unchanged,” she said.
ODM and PNU followers remain sharply divided over the cases, with those aligned to ODM not wavering over their support. In 2010, 70 percent of the ODM supporters, were for the process, and they have gained two percentage points to stand at 72pc.
A huge number of PNU supporters on the other hand have changed heart with support falling from 66 percent in October last year to 40 percent.
The main reasons given by those who support the process are that Kenyans courts don’t have the capacity to try the suspects.
This is despite the reform process in the Judiciary gaining momentum, and the coming in of a new chief justice.
Half of those who said they were happy with the process said the ICC process will deliver justice, with other saying it will end impunity, prevent future violence, and help Kenyans know the truth about the violence.
Six percent categorically said they don’t trust the Kenyan courts.
Those not happy with the international courts process said the suspects should have been tried by Kenyan courts.
Others said the six, are not the real suspects, and that the list is incomplete. Some said the international court didn’t conduct sufficient investigations, with other crying foul that the process was politicised.
“Eight percent said it will cause more harm in the country, and a similar number said Kenyans should just forgive and move on,” said Ms Ireri.
The survey was done between June 30 and July 8 this year, involving 2,000 respondents above 18 years old.
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