Survey paints grim picture for political parties

Many Kenyans have not identified their favourite political parties, a new poll shows.

The survey by the University of Nairobi found only 58 per cent of eligible voters associated with a political party, while 34 per cent would vote for ODM and 20 per cent for a PNU Alliance candidate.

Among existing parties, ODM was the most popular with 50 per cent support, followed by PNU at 26 per cent and ODM Kenya, renamed Wiper Democratic Movement, at 5.8 per cent.

The survey was conducted by the University’s Institute of Development Studies between November 4 and December 5, last year, and covered 2,400 respondents from 44 counties.

Only Mandera, Isiolo and Lamu counties were left out due to insecurity.

“From the feedback, political parties have a lot of work to do to convince these undecided voters to vote for them,” said Dr Adams Oloo, one of the lead researchers.

United Democratic Party of Kenya was the fourth most popular party at 3.8 per cent.

Busia County had the highest percentage of voters who had already identified their party of choice at 88 per cent followed by Homa Bay (85), Tharaka Nithi (83), Bungoma (82) and Kisumu (80).

Kiambu led the counties with least association with political parties at 51 per cent followed by Trans Nzoia (61), Elgeyo Marakwet (63), Uasin Gishu (64) and Laikipia (75).

ODM had highest rating in Homa Bay, Isiolo and Siaya, while PNU Alliance reigned in Nyandarua, Murang’a and Kiambu.
ODM-K was most popular in Kitui County.

“We avoided asking respondents about their preference for individual presidential aspirants because none of the parties has conducted their primaries so we chose to go by the parties rather than individuals,” said Dr Oloo.