A new opinion poll by Ipsos has reported that more than half of Kenyans surveyed say their economic situation had worsened in the last three months and that nearly everyone is concerned about terrorism, with more than two-thirds saying the threat from al Shabaab is extremely high.
Asked which is the most serious problem facing Kenyans, those surveyed cited the ever rising high cost of living as the biggest challenge, followed by crime, unemployment, corruption, poor leadership and poverty, in that order.
52 percent of those surveyed, said their household economies had deteriorated, while one third of all households reported to have someone who sometimes goes to bed hungry.
A clear majority — 58 percent — maintained that the county is heading in the wrong direction, with Cord supporters more affirmative than their Jubilee counterparts.
The poll attributes the negative outlook to the fact that nearly half of Kenyan households, 47 percent, earn Sh10,000 or less a month.
The income figures vary significantly by region, from a high in Nyanza of 61 percent to a low in Nairobi of 33 percent and in North Eastern of 22 percent.
The survey by the international firm was conducted across the country between August 24 and September 1. It questioned 2,021 people in face-to-face interviews and covered issues about the economy, security, government performance, devolution, and calls for a referendum.
Asked to identify the achievements of the Jubilee government to date, the proportion unable to cite accomplishments remained the same at 48 percent, the figure when the last survey was taken.
There was little change in the ratings of government performance since the last survey.
The poll points to the high cost of living and unemployment as the country's two most serious problems, cited by 3 percent and 15 percent of respondents, respectively.
Insecurity is a big concern and hardly anyone, only 3 percent of those queried, said al Shabaab was not a threat.
After ranking five other problems at the top, number one being the high cost of living, followed by crime, the survey indicated concerns over terrorism were at the low end of issues, together with tribalism and leadership struggles.
Support for devolution is strong, with 69 percent of respondents supporting it, despite many challenges in implementing the system and giving greater powers to the 47 counties. Support for it far exceeds support for a proposed referendum seeking to strengthen local powers and increase county resources.
Concerning devolution, the survey indicates only a modest gap between supporters of the two main coalitions, Cord at 76 percent,and Jubilee at 66 percent.
Commenting on other findings, he said: “However polarised people were in the last general elections, differences among Kenyans have disappeared and they have almost similar views on issues affecting them."
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Kenya is headed in the wrong direction, poll
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