(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Kenya’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is by far the most popular political party in the country, according to a poll by the Institute for Development Studies, the University of Nairobi, Michigan State University and Afrobarometer. 45 per cent of respondents would vote for the ODM candidate in the next presidential election.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Kenya’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is by far the most popular political party in the country, according to a poll by the Institute for Development Studies, the University of Nairobi, Michigan State University and Afrobarometer. 45 per cent of respondents would vote for the ODM candidate in the next presidential election.
The Party of National Unity (PNU) is second with 18 per cent, followed by the Orange Democratic Movement Party of Kenya (ODM-K) with seven per cent. Support is lower for candidates representing the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC), NARC Kenya, and Kenya African National Union (KANU).
Kenyans voted in presidential and legislative elections in December 2007. Official results gave incumbent Mwai Kibaki of the PNU 46.64 per cent of all cast ballots, followed by opposition candidate Raila Odinga of ODM with 44.28 per cent.
Odinga’s camp complained about irregularities in the ballot count, claiming that Kibaki’s total was inflated by 300,000 votes. The allegations practically paralyzed Kenyan politics, and saw the return of violent incidents that had marred the electoral campaign.
By late Febuary 2008, post-election violence in Kenya had claimed more than 1,000 lives. On Feb. 28—following the mediation by former United Nations (UN) secretary-general Kofi Annan—Kibaki and Odinga reached a preliminary power-sharing deal. The terms entailed the creation of the post of prime minister, who would "coordinate and supervise" government affairs. Kenya would also have two deputy prime ministers, one nominated by each member of the coalition. Kibaki remained as president, and Odinga became prime minister.
On May 9, Odinga discussed the current state of affairs, saying, "The coalition has the task to undertake reforms in the Judiciary, Police, Land, Electoral systems and enact a new constitutional order but all parties must compromise and reach consensus on issues that spark divided opinion."
Polling Data
If a presidential election were held tomorrow, which party’s candidate would you vote for?
|
Orange Democratic Movement Party (ODM)
|
45%
|
|
Party of National Unity (PNU)
|
18%
|
|
Orange Democratic Movement Party of Kenya (ODM-K)
|
7%
|
|
National Rainbow Coalition (NARC)
|
1%
|
|
NARC Kenya
|
1%
|
|
Kenya African National Union (KANU)
|
2%
|
|
Would not vote
|
10%
|
|
Refused to answer
|
4%
|
|
Don’t know
|
11%
|
Source: Institute for Development Studies / University of Nairobi / Michigan State University / Afrobarometer
Methodology: Face-to-face interviews with 1,200 Kenyan adults, conducted in October and November 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.
