Poll: Half of Kenyans back August elections date
Infotrak Harris Research chief executive officer Angela Ambitho releases an opinion poll on political parties and understanding of the Constitution among Kenyans. Nairobi, October 21, 2011. She said half the number of Kenyans want the country to stick to the August election date. BILLY MUTAI
What you need to know:
1,500 respondents were interviewed to represent Kenya translating into a margin error of -/+2 .5 at 95 per cent level of confidence.
Sampling adopted was random, systematic on respondents who were 18 years and above.
Survey conducted between September 23, to 26, 2011.
Half the number of Kenyans want the country to stick to the August election date, an opinion poll has indicated.
About 50 per cent of the country want to vote on August 14 so that the December holidays are not interfered with. The Constitution states that a general election in Kenya will be held on the second August every fifth year.
In the opinion released Friday by Angela Ambitho of Infotrak Harris that was jointly done by Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD), she said majority of Kenyans argue that if a controversy arises, a candidate can have enough time to petition the elections because courts will be in session.
"The proponents for the August 2012 elections consist predominantly of youths. They are keen to see change happen quickly while the constitution is respected,” Ms Ambitho said.
"They argue that it will give ample time to the new leadership and pave way for a smooth take over.”
She said 37 per cent of Kenyans want a December election date with most of them being the elderly population.
"Majority of the proponents of a December 2012 election date consist of the older generation who wish to see the status quo maintained with regards to December holidays,” Ms Ambitho, who was accompanied by CMD chairman Justin Muturi said.
The older generation argue that August will see a poor turnout as opposed to December while giving the electoral body time to prepare because it has not been constituted.
Those who support the December date also say that the Constitution is in the implementation stages and the government needs to be given time to put its house in order.
The other 13pc are undecided.
In another finding, about 61 per cent of Kenyans would not support an independent candidate. Only 27 per cent of Kenyans would approve such a candidate if an election is held today.
"Kenyans feel that independent candidates are always on political transit therefore cannot be trusted,” Ms Ambitho said.
She said Kenyans view that candidates who don’t have a party don’t have a manifesto to achieve the dreams of the country.
Ms Ambitho said Kenyans would rather rally behind a candidate with a party arguing that a party’s participation is crucial in playing the role of watchdog in terms of scrutinising and monitoring bills just as much as sponsoring them.
“The party also acts as the collective voice of reason in mobilising views and also creating a platform to air them,” she said.
Ms Ambitho said 80 per cent of Kenyans believe that the implementation of the Constitution is on track since several bills were passed before the August 27 deadline, although 72 per cent say the timelines were not adhered to.
“More than 58 per cent of Kenyans are optimistic and believe the new laws will lead to better governance,” she said.
She said 80 per cent of Kenyans want the one third rule on women representation respected arguing that women are trusted more than men.
Mr Muturi, who is also a former Siakago MP, said Kenyans needed to put into consideration the formation of an electoral body before next year’s poll is held.
