How Much Trust do Kenyans Have for Pollsters and Leaders?

The problems Kenyans face today such as insufficient political voice, inequitable access to services and opportunities have become a perennial predicament that leaders use to have their way out.

On the economic front, different players at the political and policy level are keen to ensure we have a sustainable national debt, affordable and effective health care, education reform, economic growth among many other facets of the country.

In the recent past, Kenyans have witnessed spew hatred amongst each other leading to eight legislators from both CORD and Jubilee being charged with incitement to violence in June.

They include Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama, Busia woman representative Florence Mutua, Kilifi woman representative Aisha Jumwa, Moses Kuria (Gatundu South MP), Ferdinand Waititu (Kabete MP), Kimani Ngunjiri (Bahati MP), Timothy Bosire (Kitutu Masaba MP) and Junet Mohamed (Suna East MP).

This was not a first. Hate speech and the fanning of ethnic discord was linked with violence after the disputed presidential results of the 2007 elections that left nearly 1,500 dead and 600,000 displaced.

Linda Ochiel, member of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) in a past local television interview, she said they have processed over 900 cases of hate speech in Kenya, 6 cases have been prosecuted successfully.

Read: Hatemonger Politicians Still in Custody But will this Tame their Tongues?

Ahead of the 2017 General Elections, Poll after poll from different players are emerging to gauge the level of perceptions the citizens have on their leaders. Many political leaders have emerged spending more time tearing down the very same institutions they serve for political gain instead of lifting them up and using them to improve the lives of all Kenyans, creating a toxic environment in which nothing meaningful can get through the legislative body for the President’s signature to bring about real change in this country that is desperately needed.

Effects of Political Opinion Polls on the Economy

The question to pose is, how much trust and confidence do people have for the pollsters, leaders and other aspects like to the doctor, house help, and taxi transport for improving the lives of all Kenyans?

Forty two per cent of Kenyans do not trust their leader compared to 20 percent who trust them and 37 percent who completely distrust them.

An online poll by conducted on Twitter by Mr. Steve Biko (@SokoAnalyst) on 2 August 2017 among 59 users.

Do you trust your leader? #SpeedOfTrustKe

— SokoAnalyst (@SokoAnalyst) August 2, 2016

These contrasts with 42 percent of Kenyans who trust President Uhuru Kenyatta can manage the country better than the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga 40 percent; Musalia Mudavadi at 4percent who is defeated by Dr. Ekuru Oukot rated at 14 percent out of 121 people who participated in the polls on 3 August.

Who do you trust to manage Kenya better? #SpeedOfTrustKe

— SokoAnalyst (@SokoAnalyst) August 3, 2016

Ironically, as Kenyans anticipate for more pollster results before they cast their vote, they do trust the pollster at 76percent compared to 24 percent who trust polls.

As a Kenyan, do you trust any pollster? I.e IPSOS ? #SpeedOfTrustKe

— SokoAnalyst (@SokoAnalyst) August 2, 2016

In the justice system, only 21 percent of Kenyans trust their lawyers compared to the 44 percent who do not trust them and 35 percent who completely distrust them out of 90 people who participated.

Are lawyers trustworthy in Kenya? #SpeedOfTrustKe

— SokoAnalyst (@SokoAnalyst) August 2, 2016

In the health sector, perhaps doctors are marginally trusted more after being rated at 52 percent compared to 48 Kenyans who think they are untrustworthy.

Are our doctors trustworthy? #SpeedOfTrustKe

— SokoAnalyst (@SokoAnalyst) August 2, 2016

Within Kenyan households, 54 percent trust their house helps compared to 46 percent who do not trust them.

Do trust your house girl #SpeedOfTrustKe

— SokoAnalyst (@SokoAnalyst) August 2, 2016

Trust is both logical and emotional and differs among human beings. When one has trust in other people, it means that he or she has exposed his or her vulnerability to those people with hope and believe that those people will not take advantage of their trust and hurt them instead. This is the emotional part.

Trust needs to be nurtured and Raiser Resource Group, a Kenya based company specializing in performance improvement this August, will host Stephen M. R. Covey, the New York Times and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Speed of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything in the event.

As one of the best motivational speakers Stephen M. R. Covey advocates that nothing is as fast as the speed of trust and that the ability to establish, grow, extend, and restore trust with all stakeholders is the critical leadership competency of the new global economy.

He passionately delivers that message and is dedicated to enabling individuals and organizations to reap the dividends of high trust.

Engage Raiser Resource Group online using #SpeedOfTrustKe and begin creating a life of alignment, powerful self-expression earned through Trust.