The most important issues that Kenyans want the next government to address are economic management (40 per cent), corruption (35 per cent) and unemployment (32 per cent), a new survey shows.
According to Afrobarometer, a research network based at the University of Nairobi, the majority of Kenyans, regardless of political affiliation want a leader who will address issues.
A researcher Paul Kamau noted that men are more likely to prioritize corruption, crime and insecurity, and unemployment, while women are more likely than men to view management of the economy, education, and health as the most critical problems that the government should address.
“Kenyans are concerned that despite raising various concerns about their welfare the government of the day is not rising up to the occasion to address them. From our research it came out very clear that most of them were tired and hence they are looking for a leader who would be able to at least listen to their concerns,” he said.
The survey shows rural residents are concerned about delivery of public services and food shortages while their urban counterparts are more likely to emphasise on unemployment, corruption, crime and insecurity as well as governance processes such as political rights and ethnic tensions.
The government is rated very poorly in its efforts to create jobs (14 per cent), improve poor people’s living standards (16 per cent), manage the economy (17 per cent), and combat corruption (22 per cent).
The results of the survey highlight that between 2014 and 2021, the most pressing issues remained consistent, indicating that Kenyans are clear about what they want their government to address.
“There are significant gender and urban-rural differences in priorities for government action on many of their priority issues, and citizens see the government’s performance as poor,” Kamau said.
He further pointed out that most Kenyans were actually interested in going to the polls not to elect quality leaders to punish incumbents who have disappointed them.
“Elections, according to six out of ten Kenyans (61 per cent), do not ensure that representatives to the National Assembly reflect the views of voters. Only a slim majority (56 per cent) believe elections are an effective tool for removing unresponsive leaders,” Kamau said.
