A new survey by Transparency International has down played the role of ethnicity in determining the outcome of the upcoming general election. PHOTO/CORRESPONDENT
By Emeka-Mayaka Gekara gmayaka@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Monday, March 5 2012 at 17:21
Posted Monday, March 5 2012 at 17:21
Ethnicity and political euphoria will have “little impact” in determining the outcome of the next election, says an opinion poll released on Monday.
Majority of Kenyans will also vote for untainted leaders.
The survey by the local chapter of Transparency International further revealed that a high number of Kenyans support the role of the International Criminal Court in the crusade against impunity and possible repeat of violence.
According to the survey voters will consider candidates’ integrity, pledges and development records.
“There is a high level of public expectations for honesty and clean development among aspiring leaders with 77 per cent of the respondents reporting they will consider these two values,” said the poll.
A total of 15.7 per cent of potential voters will consider election pledges, while four per cent cited ethnicity of the candidates.
However, in a country where not facet escapes ethnicity— not even an externally driven process like the ICC— such findings raises doubt.
The organisation ranks the civil society as the most trusted institution to fight graft at 33.5 per cent. It is followed closely by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (33.3 per cent), Judiciary (14.9), Parliament (6.6), presidency (3.9), police (3.5) and media at one per cent.
TI-Kenya chief executive Samuel Kimeu has called for thorough vetting of candidates in the coming election.
“We must critically scrutinise all individuals seeking our votes and take advantage of the next election to birth refined leadership that meets our priorities and expectations and places country before self,” he said on Monday during the launch of the report.
He declared that the organisation will blacklist MPs plotting to block the upcoming Leadership and Integrity Bill.
The survey ranks Parliament (57 per cent) judiciary(15) and presidency(12) as the greatest impediments to implementation of the Constitution.
According to the anti-graft NGO, the poll conducted between January 20 and February 13 across the country, involved 1,936 possible voters.
The poll’s margin error was 2.2 per cent.
The study aimed to find out changes in governance since the enactment of the new Constitution.
They found out that majority of Kenyans want candidates in the next election to make commitments to build national cohesion (27.9 per cent), fight poverty (27.1) reduce cost of living (22.7) and tackle corruption(21.6 per cent).
The survey revealed that 46 per cent of Kenyans are optimistic that the impending ICC trials will help minimize a repeat of violence.
A February 5 poll by Ipsos-Synovate captured views Kenyans hold following the ICC confirmation of charges against four individuals for crimes against humanity.
It said that 60 percent of Kenyans are satisfied with the ICC, though the support has been declining in the past couple of months.
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