Report Reveals Uhuru's Growing Unpopularity

An undated file image of President Uhuru Kenyatta.
An undated file image of President Uhuru Kenyatta.
File

A new survey by TIFA Research has revealed the extent to which President Uhuru Kenyatta's popularity has deteriorated as he prepares to exit the highest office in 2022. 

In the report, TIFA revealed that 72 percent of Kenyans believe the country is headed in the wrong direction. 

This is attributed to the high cost of living (38 percent), unemployment crisis (16 percent), political issues (13 percent), corruption cases (ten percent), how the government has managed the Covid-19 pandemic (ten percent) as well as ballooning debt in the country (five percent).

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Former President Uhuru Kenyatta (right) and his successor, William Ruto (left).
File

Further, the perceived aspects of Uhuru's legacy have deteriorated with 18 percent criticising his tenure due to increased public debt, economic hardships for many Kenyans (17 percent), increased corruption (11 percent).

Five percent also pointed out that the president's disobedience of court orders and the Constitution also showed a chink in his armour. 

His fallout with his Deputy William Ruto has created a negative perception among Kenyans with four percent reinforcing the sentiments.

"There is even more agreement about the presence of economic challenges at the local level, with the top four mentions (unemployment, the cost-of-living, hunger/famine, and poverty) in total attracting a clear majority of all responses (64 percent)," read part of the survey. 

However, 12 percent believed that the country was heading in the right direction. Out of this, 18 percent hailed the government's efforts in curbing the Covid-19 pandemic.

14 percent lauded the infrastructural projects within the country, education (nine percent), cost of living (eight percent), political issues (nine percent) as well as employment (six percent). 

With a full year left for him to complete his term, the President is in a rush to ensure that he is able to finish the Big Four agenda hailed as his legacy projects.

This includes food security, affordable housing, manufacturing, and universal health coverage for all Kenyans.

This has, however, received criticism from a section of political figures who claim that Uhuru deserted his projects in order to focus on the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) which was birthed after the 2018 handshake agreement with ODM leader Raila Odinga. 

President Uhuru and ODM Leader Raila Odinga
President Kenyatta with ODM leader Raila Odinga.
Citizen Digital

 

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