48pc of Kenyans believe country headed in wrong direction – poll

At least 48 percent of Kenyans presently believe the country is headed in the wrong direction owing to high cost of living, corruption and high unemployment rates.

This is according to a poll conducted by Infotrak Research and Consulting across 24 counties in late June with 1048 respondents interviewed through the phone.

While announcing the poll results on Sunday at their offices in Lavington, Infotrak ManAging Director Angela Ambitho revealed that 34 percent of Kenyans – however – feel the country is on the right path with 14 percent unsure of the country’s direction.

55 percent of Kenyans credit President Uhuru Kenyatta for steering the country in the right direction while 17 percent believe it took the effort of both President Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga, yet another 7 percent attributed it to the Head of State and his deputy William Ruto.

26 percent of them, on the other hand, blame President Kenyatta for the country being headed in the wrong direction even as 15 percent place that blame on the shoulders of all political leaders.

According to Infotrak, among the key issues of concern to Kenyans include; unemployment (29%), high cost of living (21%), corruption (16%), insecurity/crime (5%) as well as food security (4%).

Ms. Ambitho further stated that 58% of Kenyans are unsatisfied with the recently unveiled Ksh.3.02 trillion budget with just 17% contented with it and 25% still unsure.

The research further showed that 31% of the country’s citizens believe there is no opposition, with another 44% saying the opposition exists but is not performing its role of keeping the government in check.

Jubilee Party took the top spot as far as political parties’ popularity is concerned with 40%, followed by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party with 21% and the Kalonzo Musyoka-led Wiper 3%.

Amani National Congress (ANC) as well as Ford Kenya came last with 1% popularity each.