Kenyans want new constitution and food this year

By Lucianne Limo

Kenyans say the best New Year gift the Grand Coalition Government can give them is a new constitution, reduced food prices and employment opportunities.

They also want the Government to provide accessible and affordable healthcare, free secondary education, a strong resolve to fight corruption and prosecution of perpetrators post-election violence.

In a newly published opinion poll, Kenyans seem to believe that with a new constitution in place, several ills that have bedevilled their lives will be tackled.

The poll by Infotrak Harris released Saturday shows that majority of Kenyans feel the Government let them down last year as it reneged on most of its promises.

Other issues Kenyans would like the Government to act on this year is to address insecurity, ensure equal distribution of resources, improved salaries for civil service, address land issues, reduce the size of Cabinet and address environmental issues comprehensively.

"For most Kenyans 2009 has been a year characterised by ups and downs. The constant wrangling coupled with economic hardships and tough environmental conditions made the year a challenging one," Infotrak Director Angela Ambitho said.

Most of the expectations of the Government last year are yet to be realised, she told journalists yesterday.

The wish list for Government is very similar to last year’s except that in 2009 inflation was top.

Last year, Kenyans’ top six wishes included food security, improved health care, affordable education, creation of jobs and a new constitution.

Kenyans, in 2009, cited the disbandment of the Electoral Commission of Kenya as the best gift the Government could give them.

They also cited proper implementation for Waki report, eradication of corruption, improved infrastructure and resettlement of IDPs.

Deferred promises

A year down the line, respondents polled in the survey are unhappy with the Government’s performance, accusing it of not implementing any of their wishes.

Respondents also gave thumbs up to public institutions they perceived to have served them well and thumbs down to those that did not.

Thirty-four per cent of the respondents ranked the police force as the worst institution that serves the interests of Kenyans while the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) emerged tops, with 22 per cent.

The commission was followed by the media (17 per cent), Central Organisation of Trade Unions (12 per cent) Kenya Roads Board (13 per cent) and the Ministry of Health (9 per cent).

"KNCHR and the media have played a pivotal role in acting as the mouthpiece of the populace. They have actively engaged, questioned, and confronted the Kenyan leadership on issues that affect Kenyans greatly," noted Ambitho.

Among the worst institutions named by respondents include the Kenya Police, Judiciary, Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission Local Authorities, Transport and Internal Security Ministry, Parliament, the Coalition Government, and Water and Agriculture ministries.