Kenyans Warm to Broad-Based Government as Opposition Declines, New TIFA Poll Shows

Public support for the broad-based government arrangement between President William Ruto and allies of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has nearly doubled over the past six months, according to a new national survey by Trends and Insights for Africa (TIFA).

The survey shows that approval of the political arrangement rose sharply from 22 per cent in May to 44 per cent by November, signalling a significant shift in public opinion toward the once-controversial partnership.

At the same time, opposition to the broad-based government has steadily declined. While resistance peaked at 64 per cent in August, it dropped to 48 per cent in the latest survey, marking the lowest level recorded across the three survey periods tracked by TIFA.

Analysts cited in the survey suggest that earlier opposition was largely shaped by memories of violent protests and the heavy-handed response witnessed in June and July, which heightened public anxiety and skepticism at the time.

The nationwide poll covered nine regions—Central Rift, Coast, Lower Eastern, Mt Kenya, Nairobi, Northern, Nyanza, South Rift, and Western Kenya. Researchers conducted face-to-face, household-based interviews, primarily in Kiswahili and English, to capture grassroots public sentiment.

TIFA interviewed a sample of 2,053 respondents, with a margin of error of plus or minus 2.16 per cent, giving the findings a high level of statistical reliability.

Notably, the survey took place weeks before Raila Odinga’s death on October 15, which occurred while he was receiving medical treatment abroad. According to TIFA researchers, the rising approval levels indicate that as the broad-based government concept became clearer and implementation progressed, initial public skepticism began to fade.

The researchers observed that more Kenyans have either accepted or grown more comfortable with the political arrangement, viewing it as a stabilising force in national politics.

However, the findings also reveal persistent divisions. Nearly half of the population still harbours reservations, underscoring ongoing debate and mixed feelings over the long-term implications of the broad-based government framework.

The post Kenyans Warm to Broad-Based Government as Opposition Declines, New TIFA Poll Shows appeared first on Nairobi Wire.