Lack of jobs, cost of living worry Kenyans most, survey shows

By Felix Olick

NAIROBI; KENYA: High cost of living and lack of jobs top the list of challenges facing Kenyans, a survey shows.

The opinion poll by Ipsos Synovate indicates 30 per cent of Kenyans feel the high cost of commodities is their biggest predicament, while 23 per cent cite joblessness.

Other problems include insecurity, poor leadership, poor infrastructure and lack of water. “High cost of living and joblessness come first among the most serious challenges facing Kenyans,” explained Ipsos Synovate Political Research Analyst TomWolf, while releasing the results in Nairobi on Friday.

The survey conducted between January 12 and 20 shows greedy leadership, corruption and Government neglect as the greatest obstacles to development.

Selfish leadership is rated highest at 22 per cent while corruption comes second at 22 per cent.

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Government neglect comes third at 14 while insecurity and conflict are rated at 11 and six per cent.

Willing to vote

The survey shows most Kenyans are satisfied with the performance of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and are willing to vote on March 4.

The poll indicates 90 per cent of Kenyans are satisfied with the IEBC with 84 per cent saying they will vote. Only seven per cent are not satisfied with the IEBC performance, indicating a significant increase in confidence, since the bungle 2007 presidential polls. However, the Ipsos poll indicates 71 per cent confident that election related violence would not occur in their locality. However, 30 per cent of Nairobi residents believe there is a possibility of a recurrence of violence bypassing the national average, which stands at 21 per cent.

The survey was conducted among 5,895 registered voters in the 47 counties.  The media have the highest approval rating among public institutions, with Parliament and police trailing.

The media had 85 per cent rating while Parliament and the police had 41 and 42 per cent. Wolf said the recent attempt by MPs to award themselves hefty gratuity could be the reason for the overwhelming no confidence vote against Parliament.