Majority of Kenyans are opposed to broad based government - Tifa poll

President William Ruto and Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. PHOTO/FILE

More than half of Kenyans do not support the broad-based government (BBG) formed by President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

According to the latest survey by TIFA, 54 per cent of Kenyans oppose the broad-based government.

Among all respondents, only about one-fifth (22 per cent) expressed support for the BBG.

It is unclear whether the remaining 22 per cent, who declined to express an opinion, did so because they have mixed feelings about the BBG or hold a negative view but were uncomfortable expressing it.

The survey was conducted between May 2 and May 6, 2025, among 2,024 respondents across nine regions: Central Rift, Coast, Lower Eastern, Mt. Kenya, Nairobi, Northern, Nyanza, South Rift, and Western.

It was conducted through telephone interviews with respondents whose contacts had been collected during prior face-to-face (household-based) interviews.

The interviews were conducted primarily in Kiswahili, with some in English.

The survey has a margin of error of +/- 2.17 per cent.

The broad-based government refers to the political and leadership collaboration between President Ruto and Raila Odinga, including their respective political parties.

The framework agreement was signed on March 7, 2025, at the Kenya International Convention Centre, with the stated aim of addressing at least 10 issues affecting Kenyans.

According to the poll, in the Coast region, 57 per cent of residents do not support the BBG, 22 per cent support it, and 25 per cent did not respond.

In the Western region, some 50 per cent oppose the BBG, 21 per cent support it, and 29 per cent gave no response.

In the Nyanza region, 49 per cent are opposed, 25 per cent support it, and 26 per cent had no response.

Central Rift (President Ruto’s home region) recorded the highest support for the BBG at 37 per cent.

Mt. Kenya and Lower Eastern — home regions of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka — recorded the lowest support at 13 per cent and 12 per cent, respectively.

"Evidently a reflection of former Prime Minister Odinga’s now-cordial relations with the Kenya Kwanza government and the presence of several senior ODM figures within it,” TIFA stated.

Raila’s Nyanza backyard gives the BBG its third-highest level of regional support.