Increase in public debt and SGR being the positive legacy in Uhuru’s tenure, polls show

Trends and Insights For Africa (Tifa) research firm has released its findings on the issues facing Kenyans as well as the legacy of President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The outcome that was released on Tuesday was conducted between June 28 and July 24, 2021, and involved 1,550 respondents (females 51%, males 49%).

The survey covered a variety of important economic, political, and social welfare public issues. The research shows that the Standard gauge Railways are amongst the positive projects from the president.

47 percent of respondents said the launch of infrastructure projects including the Standard Gauge Railway were positive aspects of Uhuru’s legacy.

TIFA research firm findings also show that eleven percent perceives that the President’s legacy has been affected by increased corruption.

“Five percent of Kenyans believed that Uhuru violated the Constitution while two percent said that he betrayed his Deputy President William Ruto,” stated Tifa.

The country’s overall public debt increased from 48.6 percent of GDP at the end of 2015 to an estimated 69 percent of GDP at the end of 2020.

As of September 2020, the country’s external public debt was 51.4 percent of its total debt stock of Sh.7.1 trillion.

The International Monetary Fund, recommends that ratios of public debt to GDP should not exceed 40 percent for developing countries.

Ten percent of the respondents said that the president enhanced national unity through the Handshake with ODM leader Raila Odinga.

Only four percent believed that Uhuru extended the electricity grid, equal to those who believe that he provided jobs or financial support for the needy while two percent said that he reduced the cost of education.

Also, 18 percent of the respondents said that the increasing public debt will be one of the negative sides of his tenure.

Seventeen percent believed that Uhuru’s administration was marred by economic hardships for many Kenyans.

The findings revealed that 11 percent of Kenyans believed that during Uhuru’s terms, cases of corruption increased.