60pc of Kenyans in support of county commissioners

60pc of Kenyans in support of county commissioners Written By:Rufus Hunja,    Posted: Sun, Jul 15, 2012

During the research 2,433 respondents were sampled The row surrounding the appointment of county commissioners continues to elicit varying reactions even after the court ruled it was unconstitutional. A survey conducted in June this year by Gallup Africa Research Company indicates that 60.9 per cent of Kenyans support the appointments while 35.8 per cent do not and 3.4pc are not sure about the presidential appointment. The same report shows that 59.6 pc of Kenyans are in favour of the retention of the provincial Administration while 37.8 pc want it scrapped. Speaking during the release of the opinion poll Gullup research director Idi Pembere that those in support of the appointments say that the move is important in devolution of essential government services. However, Pembere said that 35 percent do not support the move while another 3.4 percent are not sure about the presidential appointments. Western province recorded the highest number of those opposed to the appointments while majority of those in support of the appointments came from North Eastern province. The ruling by the High that the appointment of 47 county commissioners was unconstitutional has opened up a supremacy battle between the Judiciary and the executive, with the government insisting that the appointments still stands. According to the report, 59% of Kenyans are in favor of the retention of the provincial Administration against 37% who says it has no Place in the devolved government Githunguri MP Njoroge Baiya however says Parliament must review the issue when it resumes from recess. Defense minister Yusuf Haji has already appealed the case against the attorney generals Githu Muigai's advice, and the church says it's unfortunate that such a matter that can be resolved by the two coalition principals has elicited such reactions. The church says the appointment should stand until the next election when the devolved government is in place. The survey was conducted in 25 counties in the country which were analyzed in cluster using the 8 regions. Nairobi (Nairobi county), Central (3), Rift valley (6), Western (3). Eastern (3), Nyanza (3), Coast (3), North Eastern (3). The majority respondents were youth from 18 to 29 years. The high court last week nullified the appointments but the Civil Service Francis Kimemia and Internal Security Permanent Secretary Mutea Iringo asked the commissioners to stay put.