NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenyans are increasingly warming to the broad-based government formed by President William Ruto and the late Raila Odinga’s allies, with public support rising from 22% in May to 44% in November, according to a new TIFA Research survey.
The survey also shows opposition to the arrangement has dropped from 64% in August to 48%, marking the lowest level recorded across TIFA’s three surveys.
Analysts attribute the earlier spike in resistance to the lingering impact of violent protests in June and July, which dominated public debate at the time.
The broad-based government was established last year after President Ruto backed Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission chairmanship.
Following Odinga’s loss in February, the two leaders solidified a partnership that reshaped Kenya’s political landscape, sidelining ODM as the official parliamentary opposition.
As part of the arrangement, senior ODM officials were appointed to Cabinet positions, while other allies received appointments as Permanent Secretaries, ambassadors, and members of parastatal boards.
The coalition has been reinforced through presidential visits to Nyanza, Odinga’s political heartland, to commission development projects and other initiatives.
TIFA’s survey was conducted weeks before Odinga’s death in October, which has intensified questions over ODM’s future leadership and positioning ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Despite these uncertainties, the survey suggests that the Kenyan public is increasingly receptive to the broad-based government, even as nearly half of respondents remain skeptical.
Political analysts say the trend reflects a maturing coalition, where initial shock and distrust are giving way to cautious acceptance, but caution that tensions within ODM could still influence voter sentiment in the coming months.
