Trends and Insights for Africa (TIFA) released a revealing poll on Monday regarding the ongoing impeachment motion against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Conducted from October 1 to October 4, just before the public participation exercise, the poll highlights significant regional disparities in public opinion.
Key Findings:
- In striking contrast, residents of the Mount Kenya region largely support Gachagua
- A substantial 36% of Mount Kenya residents believe Gachagua is being unfairly attacked and does not deserve the allegations against him.
- Among the respondents, 18% viewed the Deputy President’s performance over the past two years as satisfactory
- Many supporters argue that Gachagua and President William Ruto were elected as a team and thus should complete their term together.
- Furthermore, 6% of Mount Kenya respondents feel Gachagua deserves forgiveness and a second chance, while 4% mentioned the lack of clear reasons for his impeachment and the potential negative impact on national stability.
The National Landscape
Taking a broader view, Kenyans are nearly evenly split on the impeachment motion, with 41% in support of Gachagua’s removal and 38% opposed. This division highlights the contentious nature of the political landscape as the country grapples with issues of leadership integrity and accountability.
The impeachment motion against Gachagua has sparked intense discussions within the National Assembly, especially as the political ramifications of this decision could be far-reaching. With public opinion so starkly divided, the outcome remains uncertain. The Deputy President’s supporters are rallying to defend him, emphasizing his contributions to the Mount Kenya region and his partnership with Ruto.
Results as per the polls
In contrast, only 20% of Mount Kenya residents support the impeachment motion, significantly lower than the national average of 41% for those in favour of Gachagua’s removal. Additionally, 3% of respondents believe that the impeachment process is merely a distraction from pressing national issues, while 1% think it will not make any difference at all. A surprising 2% of the population remains undecided on the matter.
As the National Assembly prepares for critical votes in the coming days, all eyes will be on the results of the public participation exercise and the subsequent actions taken by lawmakers. With such deep regional divides, the fate of Deputy President Gachagua may ultimately hinge on the voices of the Kenyan people.
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