- The study conducted indicates that only four out of 10 Kenyans believed the Commission was capable of conducting credible polls.
- The study indicates seven out of 10 Kenyans (71 per cent ) say they will vote, one out of 10 (11 per cent) are not sure while two out of 10 (18 per cent) did not care register themselves as voters.
Majority of Kenyans have no confidence on the ability of the electoral commission to conduct free and fair elections on August 9, a new study suggests.
The study conducted between December 20, 2021 and January 3, 2022 by Twaweza’s Sauti ya Mwananchi indicates only four out of 10 Kenyans translating to 41 per cent believed the IEBC was capable of conducting credible polls.
This is a decrease from 2017, when two out of every three people (65 per cent) said the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission is capable of conducting free and fair elections.
The study findings released on Monday had 3,000 respondents sampled through random sampling from a database of contacts from previous surveys.
The respondents were asked whether they believe the electoral agency is capable of counting votes honestly.
They also responded to whether they think the IEBC will report the true results after voting on August 9.
"Similarly, fewer citizens (39 per cent) are confident the IEBC can report true results than in 2017 (65 per cent)," the report reads.
The findings come on the backdrop of sustained complains by Deputy President William Ruto on the conduct of the August elections.
Last week, Ruto spoke of a grand scheme to force Kenyans into a pre-determined presidential election.
The findings released by Twaweza jointly with Organisation of African Youth and the IEBC also reveals that the intention to vote in this year’s polls is low compared to 2017.
The study indicates seven out of 10 Kenyans (71 per cent ) say they will vote, one out of 10 (11 per cent) are not sure, while two out of 10 (18 per cent) did not care register themselves as voters.
This was a departure from the same period in 2017, where a bigger majority of 94 per cent was optimistic of participating in the elections.
“The main reason suggested for why some people do not vote are that it brings very little changes, or that it's time consuming or that polling stations are distant,” the report reads.
During similar period in 2017, a record 99 per cent Kenyans eligible for voting had been registered compared to the current 85 per cent.
“Citizens are skeptical about the benefits of voting. Most citizens do not agree with the views that voting is important because it enables people to hold leaders to account or that it is an opportunity to bring about change,” read part of the report.
“The perception that voting changes nothing, either because politicians on all sides let people down or because the results are determined before any votes are cast – is widespread.”
Shockingly, Kenyans in the arid North and East are much less likely planning to vote.
The respondents were also divided as to whether there is any risk of election related violence in 2022.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)