Majority support ICC suspects’ resignation from public office - survey

By Roseleen Nzioka

A new survey by pollster Ipsos-Synovate has found that 80 percent of Kenyans support the decision by Uhuru Kenyatta and Francis Muthaura to "step aside" following confirmation of their post-election violence charges by the International Criminal Court.

When asked for their opinion on whether it was right for Uhuru Kenyatta and Francis Muthaura to resign from public offices as a result of the indictment, 80%, of Kenyans agreed.

The Ipsos-Synovate survey released on Monday indicates that 62% of Kenyans would like Uhuru Kenyatta to resign from his position as Deputy Prime Minister. 35% would rather he holds his position whilst 3% do not know what to recommend.

Coast region had the highest proportion of Kenyans saying Uhuru Kenyatta should quit his position as deputy prime minister at 81%, Western (79%), Nyanza (72%), North Eastern (67%), Nairobi (65%) and Eastern (62%). A slightly lower number, 52% and 44% of those in the Rift Valley would like to see him quit.

Sixty percent of Kenyans indicated satisfaction with the ICC ruling that saw four of the six charged with post-election violence in the ICC committed to full trial.

The study conducted by Ipsos-Synovate between 27th January and 1st February 2011, interviewed 1,523 respondents aged 18+ countrywide. The same survey indicated that majority of Kenyans (79%) are aware of the most recent ruling by the ICC on confirming of charges against four of the six suspects whilst 21% were unaware.

Public satisfaction with the ICC confirmation differs by province. Satisfaction levels are higher in Coast (75%), Western (75%), Nyanza (74%) and Nairobi (68%). However, Rift Valley and Central had lower satisfaction levels with the ruling at 50% and 42% respectively. These two areas are considered strongholds of two key suspects – Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Eldoret North MP William Ruto.

Awareness of ICC ruling

Nearly all Kenyans are aware that the ICC confirmed charges against William Ruto and Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta with 94% and 97% awareness levels respectively. Awareness for Joshua arap Sang and Francis Muthaura stands at 76% and 75% respectively. However, the study indicated that there is a small proportion of Kenyans (less than 10%) who think that charges were confirmed against Henry Kosgey and Hussein Ali.

Other findings of the survey were that 69% of Kenyans believe that there will be no violence in the next general elections and that the ICC has had little impact on the presidential ratings.

However, 20% see violence as a possibility. Rift Valley region has the highest number of people indicating that there will be no violence in the next general elections at 76%, Nyanza at 74%, North Eastern 71% and Nairobi 70%. Eastern and Coast had 64% and 61% respondents indicating that there will be no violence.