Poll: Support for trial of six in Hague wanes
Synovate managing director Maggie Ireri addresses a news conference on the outcome of polls on Kenyans perception towards ICC process at their offices in Nairobi August 19, 2011. The poll showed support for the process has dipped by 12 per cent. PHOEBE OKALL
Support for the International Criminal Court has dropped, two weeks to the confirmation of charges hearings against six Kenyans at The Hague.
A survey carried out by Synovate in July shows the support has fallen by 12 per cent, since October last year before the release of the Ocampo list.
The survey shows that only 56 per cent of Kenyans support the process, compared to 68 per cent last year.
The biggest drop has been in Central, Rift Valley and Eastern provinces, where two suspects who have declared their presidential ambitions — Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Eldoret North MP William Ruto — enjoy huge support. (Read: Ocampo reveals poll chaos evidence)
“This shows that campaigns by the two are yielding fruit,” said Synovate Kenya managing director Maggie Ireri while releasing the results in Nairobi.
She added: “It is an indication that tribal politics will play a major role in presidential succession next year.”
The other suspects are Head of Public Service Francis Muthaura, Postmaster general Hussein Ali, Tinderet MP Henry Kosgey and radio presenter Joshua Sang.
Support for the cases in Central has fallen from 73 per cent last year to 36 per cent while in Rift Valley it has dropped 37 per cent from 61 per.
In Eastern, 50 per cent support the ICC process from 71 per cent last year.
“This is in contrast with other provinces where public support for the process remains strong and relatively unchanged,” she said.
Supporters of ODM and PNU remain sharply divided over the cases.
Last year 70 per cent of ODM supporters were for the process, and they have gained two percentage points to stand at 72.
The ODM leadership has repeatedly voiced its support for the process, arguing that only a credible Kenyan process can make them change their mind.
A significant number of PNU supporters on the other hand have changed heart, with support falling from 66 per cent in October last year to 40 per cent.
The PNU wing had early this year written to the ICC calling for the deferral of the cases.
The main reason given by those who support the Hague trials is that Kenyan courts do not have the capacity to try the suspects.
This is despite the reforms in the Judiciary gaining momentum, and the coming in of a new Chief Justice, Dr Willy Mutunga.
The survey was done between June 30 and July 8 this year, involving 2,000 respondents above 18 years old.
