Ipsos poll reveals 20% Kenyans against Uhuru-Raila handshake, blame it for political confusion

A new poll by Ipsos Synovate has revealed that a section of Kenyans do not support the March 9, 2018 handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Opposition leader Raila Odinga.

The two main reasons offered for the dissent had to do with apparent effects on the political landscape in the country.

"The negators of the handshake claim that it has brought about political confusion (36 per cent) while 24 per cent hold that it has further weakened the opposition," the poll report noted.

DP William Ruto and Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka embrace during their version of the peace handshake Pulse Live Kenya

A majority of Kenyans, however, at about 86% expressed their support for the handshake citing that it had brought peace and tranquility to the country.

ODM and Jubilee parties unstable

Kenyans who participated in the Ipsos poll also disclosed apprehension with the developments within the leading Opposition party ODM and the ruling Jubilee party.

Over 60% of the respondents believed that ODM is on its death bed while 66% believed that internal wrangles in Jubilee will eventually lead to its downfall.

Overall, 36% of respondents intimated that they had not seen any benefits of the handshake.