Devolution biggest gain from 2010 Constitution – pollster

At least 51% of Kenyans feel that the biggest benefit from the current Constitution is devolution.

This is according to the latest poll by research firm Infotrak.

The survey further shows that other than devolution, the top two benefits that Kenyans associate with the current constitution are improved individual rights and freedoms at 33% and enhanced democracy at 17%.

“It is good that half of Kenyans do associate devolution with the Constitution but then, there is another half that does not. Could it be that their expectations have not been met by the county government? Or could it be that their expectations were too high? Those are some of the questions we need to ask,” explained Angela Ambitho, Director Infotrak.

Land reforms and establishment of constitutional commissions were the fifth most important benefits associated with the current Constitution as was mentioned by 14% of Kenyans polled.

This was followed by judicial reforms that were mentioned at 13% of those polled. Only one in every ten Kenyans, 12%, feel the electoral reforms have been a benefit of the current Constitution.

However, 13% of Kenyans interviewed do not think the current Constitution has accrued any benefits.

An overwhelming majority of Kenyans, 82%, feel that the implementation of the Constitution is currently important to them while 14% think otherwise.

On the other hand, only 18% are satisfied with the implementation process with 29% of Kenyans expressing extreme dissatisfaction with the process.

Public participation is poor in most counties according to the poll. The poll associated this to distance barrier saying that the location where the events are held are mostly far from where residents come from.

“I think the way it was envisioned was that it would actually be public participation that you can actually be involved in, very close to your confines, very close to your home. In most cases they expect more so often to see the governor himself.”

57% of Kenyans feel devolution should top the priority list when it comes to the implementation of the Constitution followed by national security at 42% and leadership and integrity at 35%.

Notably, nearly half of Kenyans feel their democratic rights are threatened when laws are amended.

The poll, commissioned by the Africa Centre for Open Governance, AFRICOG, was conducted between May 31 and June 8 this year with 1500 respondents being interviewed in all former 8 provinces across the country.