Half the country lacks trust in the government

Maggie Ireri CEO TIFA research speaking when they released 2023 current issues survey for the Kenya Kwanza government performance. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard]

More than half of the Kenyan population believe that President William Ruto's administration is leading the country in the wrong direction, a new poll has shown.

The study by Trends and Insights for Africa (TIFA) has found that eight in 10 people who think Ruto is leading the nation astray think so because of the unbearable cost of living, the subject of nationwide anti-government demonstrations by the opposition.

Speaking in Nairobi during the release of public opinion Data of the Kenya Kwanza government performance, Maggie Ireri who is the C.E.O TIFA revealed that only 25 per cent of Kenyans believe that the country is going in the right direction.

"Among the minority who consider the country's current direction as positive are 25 per cent and there is little agreement on their reasons, with a small plurality of 24 per cent citing the leadership of the Ruto government as the main reason for their positivity," said Ireri.

The report also shows that the top Kenya Kwanza government achievements so far by trend include the launching of the hustler fund and stabilizing the cost of fertilizer.

Other achievements include taxation policies, debt repayment, general economic improvement, hiring teachers, completing and launching infrastructure projects, providing Jobs and financial support for the needy and finally enhancing national unity and cohesion.

On the other hand, TIFA reveals that Ruto's top failures so far by trend include, increased economic hardship and failed campaign promises.

Other failures include, taxation and housing levy, general economic policy, increased public debt, increased Insecurity, government appointments, bad leadership: Abuse of office, dictatorship and increased debt.

"In terms of its perceived failures, there is widespread agreement that continuing if not increasing economic hardship is at the top of most Kenyans' minds across the political divide, though the failure to fulfill "campaign promises" as well as various economic issues aside from such promises also receive considerable mentions," Ireri added.

The poll also ranked Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki the best performing Cabinet Secretary, with the endorsement of 34 per cent of the respondents.

Education CS Ezekiel Machogu ranks as the second best performing CS at seven per cent, followed by Health CS Susan Nakhumicha Wafula (six per cent) in the TIFA report.