Saturday, November 10, 2012

Kenyans will elect focused leader, survey says


By Augustine Oduor
NAIROBI, KENYA: Kenyans will most likely not vote for a presidential candidate they like, a new opinion poll has revealed.
Instead, the candidates’ track record on leadership and development, democratic ideals, experience and focus will inform the voting pattern. The Infotrak poll released yesterday shows that Prime Minister Raila Odinga is still the front-runner for next year’s presidential election with an approval rating of 35 per cent.
This is however a 10 per cent drop from the last poll that put him at 49 per cent in May. Respondents said they would vote for Raila because of his development record and experience.
Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta comes second at 24 per cent of the surveyed respondents, saying they would vote for him because he is young and energetic and above all, a person of integrity.
A survey conducted by Gallup World Poll last month showed majority of Kenyans would vote for Raila as their next president if elections were held that month.
It said the PM led with 28.6 per cent of the eligible voters followed by Uhuru who had 21.5 per cent. Ruto had 14.5 per cent, while Kalonzo 9.9 per cent.
Mudavadi 7.3 per cent and Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua five per cent. And According to another Pollster, Ipsos Synovate, released during the same period, Raila was rated as the most popular candidate with 36 per cent and Uhuru at 30 per cent. It said Raila would beat Uhuru in the first round, but fail to garner the 50 per cent plus one, needed to secure State House.
According to Infotrak poll released yesterday, some 10.3 per cent of Kenyans would vote United Republican Party leader, William Ruto, making him third. They said they would vote him because he is a performer, and a fighter for the less fortunate.
Mudavadi and Uhuru are the main gainers since February this year with seven per cent and six per cent rise respectively.
Ironically, only 10 per cent of Kenyans would vote United Democratic Forum leader Musalia Mudavadi, even after the Pollster said he is the most liked presidential candidate in Kenya today. Those who would vote for Mudavadi said they prefer him because he is a performer, person of integrity and not tribal. This is the first time a pollster has assessed the likeability of presidential candidates in the country.
In a scale of between 1 and 5, he rated 3.58 with 5 being the most likeable rating for the candidates. Ruto is the second most liked presidential candidate in Kenya today with a rating of 3.53. Raila who is also the Orange Democratic Movement party leader and Uhuru, The National Alliance leader, tie in position three with a rating of 3.47.
Some 8.8 per cent of the respondents said they will vote Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka because he is humble, transparent and hardworking. He rated fifth in the likeability index.

No comments:

Post a Comment