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Uhuru, Ruto’s popularity on the rise – survey

The poll indicates that 67pc of Kenyans have confidence in President Kenyatta from 51pc in November, while Ruto's popularity has risen to 63pc from 42pc/FILE

The poll indicates that 67pc of Kenyans have confidence in President Kenyatta from 51pc in November, while Ruto’s popularity has risen to 63pc from 42pc/FILE

NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 19 – President Uhuru Kenyatta’s public rating and that of his deputy William Ruto have increased, according to a new survey by IPSOS Kenya.

The poll indicates that 67pc of Kenyans have confidence in President Kenyatta from 51pc in November, while Ruto’s popularity has risen to 63pc from 42pc.

The increase comes notwithstanding sobering economic realities and perceived insecurity threats in the country.

Releasing the survey on Friday, IPSOS lead researcher Tom Wolf however said it was unclear if such significant gains for both leaders are permanent or more transitory.

“Between September and October we represented two surveys. When the President came from the status conference from The Hague, the confidence on him went way up from 43 percent to 71 percent,” he pointed out.

“After his case was withdrawn, it’s gone back to almost to what it was when he came back from The Hague.”

He further pointed out that media may have played a role in the new ratings.

“You (the media) are the opinion makers…it seems it’s a perfect ‘marriage’ for Jubilee leaders,” he stated.

Wolf noted that the decision by the ICC prosecutor to drop President Kenyatta’s case could have played a role as it has received 77pc approvals from Kenyans while 64 pc wants the remaining case terminated.

Insecurity was rated as the highest problem in the country at 67 percent followed by high cost of living at 7 percent.

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Most Kenyans at 40pc were however not reporting to police with those who have reported at 63pc,”completely unsatisfied with the response from the police that was forthcoming.”

He attributed this to rampant corruption normally witnessed within the police service eroding public confidence.

Asked on what the government should do to improve the security situation of the country, most Kenyans at 50pc want more police to be recruited to the police service.

“Kenyans believe that the current numbers of our security personnel is not enough. They are over stretched,” he said. “Others want community policing to be strengthened as well as promotion national unity.”

Some 2,005 respondents participated in the survey carried out on December 9 to 15.

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