Kenyans have given President William Ruto a ‘D’ grade, equivalent to a 47% score, while Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua received an ‘E’ score, corresponding to a 36% rating. This is according to a poll released by Infotrak about how Kenyans think the government performed in 2023.
Regionally, President Ruto received a 50% rating in his native Rift Valley, closely followed by Western and Central at 49% and 48%, respectively. The Coast region rated the Head of State at 44%, while North Eastern (43%), Eastern (46%), Nyanza (41%), and Nairobi (48%) gave him below-average marks in his first full year in office.
Deputy President Gachagua scored 40% in the Rift Valley region, with the rest of the areas giving him ratings of 35% in Coast, 34% in North Eastern, 37% in Eastern, 39% in Central, 37% in Western, 29% in Nyanza, and 34% in Nairobi.
Within the Kenya Kwanza government, only the Deputy President received a poor rating, with the opposition outperforming him and President Ruto at 48 percent. Cabinet secretaries scored (43%), the National Assembly (43%), the Senate (42%), the Judiciary (47%), Police (45%), County Governments (47%), and County Assemblies having a rating of 45%.
Kenyans expressed dissatisfaction with the leadership duo for various reasons, including the high cost of living, high taxation, housing and fuel levies, and high unemployment rates. Thousands flocking to politicians’ homes for free meals and goodies during the festive season highlighted the desperation and the state of the economy among Kenyans.
Deputy President Gachagua has been criticized for his not-so-diplomatic tone in official addresses, particularly when describing President Ruto’s government as one that consisted of ‘shareholders’ who voted for it.
The survey conducted between December 18-19 revealed a shift in Kenya’s public mood over the past year. Compared to December 2022, the number of Kenyans feeling the country is heading in the wrong direction increased by 7%, from 55% to 61%. Reasons cited for the negative direction included the high cost of living (93%), unemployment (37%), poverty (20%), increased taxation (17%), poor governance (11%), and rampant corruption (10%). The quantitative interviews were conducted through Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI).
