Source: Afrika
Almost half of Kenyans will vote for a woman president, a new opinion poll shows. According to a survey by Infotrak Harris released Tuesday, 48 per cent of Kenyans indicated willingness to elect a woman as the country's fourth president.

A further 63pc said they would elect a woman for the position of governor.

If a woman was to vie for the Senate, she would garner 58 pc of the vote. 77per cent said they would vote for a female MP and 72per cent for a female County representative.

In general, an impressive 8 in every 10 Kenyans (82per cent) would vote for women if they contested for various elective positions in the forthcoming General Election.

According to the poll, Martha Karua emerged as the most influential female politician over the past year.

61pc of Kenyans found the Narc-Kenya leader to have inspired them the most, and a further 11per cent cited Water minister Charity Ngilu, the late Prof Wangari Maathai also influenced 8per cent of Kenyans.

The women who inspired were found to be bold, principled, good planners, human rights activists and hard workers.

Other women mentioned include: Supreme Court judge Njoki Ndungu, ministers Naomi Shaaban, Beth Mugo, Esther Murugi, Margaret Wanjiru, Elizabeth Ongoro and Linah Kilimo. Others were MPs Millie Odhiambo, Hellen Sambili, Rachael Shebesh and Prime Minister Raila Odinga's wife Ida Odinga.

Apart from the women, Mr Odinga, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and US President Barack Obama among others were mentioned as persons that have inspired Kenyans in the political arena.

27per cent of Kenyans said the PM inspired them whereas 10pc felt inspired by Mr Kenyatta and 8per cent by President Obama.

Other influential male leaders were: Peter Kenneth (6pc), Mwai Kibaki (5pc), William Ruto (4pc); Kalonzo Musyoka, Mutula Kilonzo and Raphael Tuju (3pc) and Musalia Mudavadi (2pc).

Those polled (48pc) also said they preferred an honest person who would pass the integrity test as their leader. They said such a leader should use engage in the politics of ethnicity and have visionary and credible agenda for the nation.

17pc said they would consider development records, 10pc manifestos and 6pc would consider addressing the cost of high living as well as fighting corruption.

Other factors that the electorate will look at also include development of infrastructure -5pc, contribution to gender equality and listening to the people’s needs -4 pc, and finally contribution to the resettlement of IDP’s paying taxes as well as being role models.

The commitment is shown through providing equal employment opportunities, fighting for women’s rights especially female genital mutilation and early marriages and the support provided to various women empowerment institutions.

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