Gachagua Faults TIFA Poll Showing How Ruto Supporters Are Turning Against Him

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Friday, December 15 exposed inconsistencies in the recently released report stemming from a survey conducted by Nairobi-based research firm Trends and Insights For Africa, also known as TIFA Research which alleged opposition between the Kenya Kwanza government and its supporters.

Speaking during the launch of the Riruta - Ngong commuter Meter Gauge Railway (MGR) project in Ngong, Gachagua claimed TIFA was being insincere with its survey noting that the same had placed the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) as the most popular political party in Kenya.

According to the poll, UDA garnered 31 per cent support from Kenyans as compared to its arch-rival, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, whose popularity was rated at 22 per cent.

However, the report indicated that 77 per cent of President William Ruto's supporters opposed the Kenya Kwanza regime, highlighting that the economy is worse than it was a year ago. 

Ignore those opinion polls saying hustlers are disappointed with Ruto's leadership- DP Gachagua#ViralVideos pic.twitter.com/O0duNLtHaI — Viral Tea Ke (@ViralTeaKe) December 15, 2023

"Ignore those things, they have no meaning. The same opinion poll says that the hustlers are disappointed with President William Ruto and that the most popular party is UDA. Now, how come?

"It's a contradiction. Who is the party leader of UDA? It is the President. So, if UDA is the most popular party, how come the same opinion poll is saying something different?" Gachagua wondered. 

The second-in-command advised members of the Kenya Kwanza government to ignore the results from the opinion polls which also ranked Cabinet Secretaries' (CS) performance from worst to best and vice versa.

“If you listen to these people making noise you will get stuck. If the President and I listen to the people making noise, the country will halt, you ignore and focus on the work that you have been assigned” Gachagua stated.

In the report, the supporters highlighted three issues hampering the current government; high inflation rate, corruption and debt repayment.

42 per cent of the Kenya Kwanza supporters indicated that the government failed in its promise to lower the cost of living, stating that it was the main challenge facing President Ruto. This was however more than 39 per cent of Azimio supporters who cited the high cost of living/ inflation rate as a major challenge.

12 per cent of Ruto's supporters noted that corruption was still ravaging the government - a failure that they attributed to leadership.

Further, another 12 per cent of Ruto's supporters cited the burden of debt repayment, faulting the Kenya Kwanza government for continuing to heap blame on the previous administration. In comparison, only four per cent of Azimio supporters pointed out debt repayment as a challenge.

The TIFA report categorised Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary (CS) Davis Chirchir as the worst-performing member of President Ruto's Cabinet, scoring 19 percent, with his Interior counterpart Kithure Kindiki ranked the best at 65 percent.

Ranking of the top 10 worst-performing Cabinet Secretaries. /VIRAL TEA KE.TIFA RESEARCH