Deputy President William Ruto’s party United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is the most popular party than Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and Jubilee Party, a new poll has shown.
The study by TIFA that interviewed 1,519 Kenyans shows that UDA’s popularity is 30 per cent is greater than that of ODM and Jubilee combined at 21 per cent.
The poll shows that UDA’s popularity sustained a steady upward trajectory, rising from 21 per cent in June.
The study also shows that Ruto is the most vocal critic against the Jubilee government where he serves.
According to the poll, Ruto has criticised the government of President Uhuru Kenyatta more than any politician in recent times.
Those who said Ruto is the most critic represent 36 per cent.
The most of the respondents in the study conducted between November 7 to 13, believe media reports which claim that Ruto has been excluded from “at least 70 per cent of the important decisions, made during Jubilee’s second term.
The research found that most Kenyans continue to believe that the official Opposition can at least partly hold the Government to account through exposure and criticism.
The poll says the finding were interesting especially because it established that 40 percent of the respondents could not correctly identify ODM as the current official Opposition party.
“More than a quarteR admitted they do know which party is occupying this role (27 per cent) and nearly one-in-five giving an incorrect answer (UDA/Other;18 per cent). Interestingly, the substantial minority who mention UDA (14 per cent) as evidently unaware this new party has only one MP following the recent Kiambaa by-election,” stated the poll.
The poll shows that 6 per cent of the respondents believe that no such party is playing this role given that this is a constitutional designation.
70 per cent of those who identified themselves as ODM supporters believe that an active opposition party can help reduce the misuse of resources and the violations of laws and the Constitution by the Government. 65 per cent and 63 per cent of ruling Jubilee and UDA supporters held the same view.
Similarly, 64 per cent of those who said that they are not affiliated to any party believe that an active opposition party can help reduce the misuse of resources and the violations of laws and the Constitution by the Government.
32 per cent of the same cluster believe even an active opposition cannot help reduce the misuse of resources and violations of laws and the Constitution by the Government.
