‘They are paid’ – Ruto slams TIFA, defends CSs ranked as worst-performing

President William Ruto has revealed that he has zero faith in Trends and Insights For Africa (TIFA) and other opinion polls that have been reporting negatively on his administration.

During a joint Media interview at Statehouse on Sunday, December 17, The Head of State went on to accuse TIFA of being a fraudulent entity, suggesting that they are paid to tarnish the reputation of his government.

The President was asked to give his remarks on the CSs who had ranked as the worst-performing Cabinet Secretaries on the report.

“I don’t believe in TIFA or any opinion poll for that matter. TIFA are frauds; they are paid,” President Ruto asserted.

Ruto also claimed that TIFA had said that he would never be president.

“TIFA said I would never be President and that I would never win,” he added.

Ruto’s unfiltered sentiments come hot on the heels of TIFA’s recent report released on Wednesday, December 13, 2023.

TIFA report on CSs’ performance

According to TIFA, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki was ranked as the best-performing CS in Ruto’s administration.

Kindiki, previously the top performer, achieved a 65 per cent approval rating in the survey conducted from November 25 to December 7, 2023.

Following closely, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who also holds the position of Foreign Affairs CS, secured the second position with a 62 per cent approval rating, while Education CS Ezekiel Machogu claimed the third spot with a 58 per cent approval rating.

83 per cent of Kenyans acknowledged familiarity with Kindiki, with 80 per cent being aware of Machogu.

Mudavadi was recognized by 78 per cent of Kenyans, Murkomen by 75 per cent, and Nakhumicha by 59 per cent.

However, the worst-performing Cabinet Secretaries in terms of public approval included Alice Wahome in Lands and Housing with a 24 per cent rating, Zacharia Njeru in Water with a 24 per cent rating, Njuguna Ndung’u in National Treasury with a 24 per cent rating, Aisha Jumwa in Gender with a 23 per cent rating, and Davis Chirchir in Energy & Petroleum with a 19 per cent rating.

“An analysis of the top 10 Cabinet Secretaries’ visits (based on available data) highlights a notable disproportion, with a concentration of 32% of their visits in Nairobi, surpassing the city’s 11% representation in the national population. This observation suggests that factors determining the number of such visits go beyond population alone. Such factors likely include proximity to their offices, the presence of strategic infrastructure, and particular events that require government attention, among others,” TIFA stated in the report.