Poll: Kenyans afraid of elections outcome

Kenyan communities are yet to reconcile following the 2007 post election violence and more people are worried about the outcome of the forthcoming General Election, a new research shows.

Kenyans also fear the possibility of violence in the March 4, 2013 polls, a survey by Strategic Research says.

Conducted in all 47 counties and sponsored by Society for International Development (SID), Amkeni Wakenya, Uraia and UN Women organisations, the study found out that only one in five Kenyans has totally forgiven perpetrators of the 2007 post-election.

“The others are willing to forgive only if that comes with some form of compensation or punishment for the perpetrators,” Ms Mary Muyonga Ochieng, who is Programmes Officer at SID, said.

Ms Muyonga and Strategic Research chief executive Caesar Handa, who released the report of the status of governance in Kenya at Serena Hotel in Nairobi said the survey showed more than half of Kenyans are optimistic that the next elections will in national reconciliation.

The baseline report will be officially be launched on Tuesday at the Hilton hotel in Nairobi.

The study, which involved 5,035 people between April and May and which incorporated both qualitative and quantitative data showed that less than a third of Kenyans have a clear understanding of county structures and roles of the new Constitutional offices. Less women compared to men are aware of the structures.

“In addition, only 17 per cent of Kenyans had registered as members of political parties and can therefore seek elective posts,” Ms Ochieng said.

Focus group discussions on topical issues were also held in every county.

The survey indicated that three out of every four Kenyans are aware of the types of courts in the country “but only one in three believe they can get access to legal services if they want to.”

“Almost half of the respondents agreed that court procedures are not friendly. Most Kenyans feel that the marginalised groups do not have improved access to courts and to the justice system,” Mr Handa said.

The survey established that almost half of the Kenyan population (46.8 per cent) does not understand what devolution entails, and even fewer (24 per cent) understand how it will work.

“However, the good news is that majority of those Kenyans feel that devolution will lead to better opportunities for citizens to participate in governance issues,” Mr Handa said.

On awareness of human rights and perceptions regarding the rights of previously marginalised groups and minorities, the survey established that 78 per cent of Kenyans have never heard of economic, social and cultural rights.

Sixty seven per cent of the respondents were however aware of initiatives to empower women while only 10 per cent were aware of similar initiatives for persons with disability.

The survey findings also provide disturbing statistics on violence against women: nearly one half of Kenyan women are subjected to domestic violence.

The survey established that previously marginalised groups are feeling more ‘involved’ and ‘recognised’ by the government.

In addition, more than half of Kenyans are ready to support initiatives to promote the rights of such groups.

The report recommends that both state and non-state actors need to put in place deliberate programmes and affirmative action to further reduce discrimination of the groups.

The national survey found that majority of Kenyans were happy with the public vetting of public officers that was widely broadcast in the recent past.

The findings showed that support for a female presidential candidate is still low with only 38 per cent of Kenyans likely to vote for a female candidate.

“Even more striking, however, is that only 22 per cent of the respondents believed that Kenya is ready for a female president,” Mr Handa said.