Parliament credited for spirited fight on graft

By Beauttah Omanga

Kenyans are happy with the performance of the Tenth Parliament, an opinion poll indicates.

The survey shows six of ten Kenyans approve of the performance of Parliament mainly in the 2010 calendar specifically on the role MPs played in unearthing corruption and passage of the new Constitution.

"Two years ago, Kenyans heavily doubted Parliament in effecting changes but increasingly, they are taking notice of the important role their MPs play in enacting good laws that ensure sustainable democracy and development," said Infotrak’s Director Angella Ambitho, as she released the opinion poll results.

She attributed Kenyans’ alertness on the performance of their MPs to the live transmissions of parliamentary proceedings, making them now not only able to better understand the dynamics in Parliament, but more importantly, determine the efforts and performance of the House as a whole and MPs in particular.

HIGHEST APPROVAL

"Majority of the respondents were unhappy with Parliament for engaging in corruption. The polls show 53 per cent believe the MPs engage in corruption," said Ambitho.

Another 21 per cent indicated that their disapproval of the MPs emanated from the delays in passing Bills while 16 per cent claimed the legislators are not development conscious.

Other grounds that formed the basis of Kenyans being disappointed with the MPs include the perception that they are selfish and only seem to think of their own interests (11 per cent), that MPs do not address pressing issues like the IDP problem (nine per cent), that MPs are captives of their tribal cohorts (three per cent) and the feeling they do not attend parliamentary sessions on a regular basis.

The survey conducted a week ago shows central Kenya voters gave the highest approval rating for Parliament at 73 per cent followed by Nyanza (65), Coast and Western (62 each).

Eastern province was the most disapproving region of Parliament’s work, delivering the harshest judgement that 55 per cent of respondents were unhappy followed by North Eastern (49), Nairobi (45) and Rift Valley (41).

However, for Kenyans who were happy with the performance of Parliament (60 per cent), majority are satisfied with the growing culture in the House that embraces the fighting of corruption not only within the Executive, but also in various public institutions.

"They also like the fact that Motions are exhaustively debated, and the overall quality of debate is impressive," said Ambitho.

Kenyans also appreciate the MPs’ commitment in unearthing and solving past misdeeds like the Artur brothers’ saga and the Ouko murder, among others.

Top performers of the 10th Parliament

QUESTION: Which MP has impressed you in the 10th Parliament? Base 1500

1. Raila Odinga 13%

2. Martha Karua 12%

3. William Ruto 8%

4. Gitobu Imanyara 7%

5. Ababu Namwamba 6%

6. Charity Ngilu 5%

Peter Kenneth 5%

Najib Balala 5%

Bonny Khalwale 5%

7. Kalonzo Musyoka 4%

John Michuki 4%

8. Uhuru Kenyatta 3%

9. Abdikadir Mohammed 2%

Mwai Kibaki 2%

Musalia Mudavadi 2%

James Orengo 2%

Adan Keynan 2%

Kenneth Marende 2%

10. Isaac Ruto 1%

Eugene Wamalwa 1%

11. Others 8%