Kenyans’ Perceptions of Foreign Debt
Kenyans’ Perception of Foreign Debt
As Kenya has industrialized and invested heavily in infrastructure, it has borrowed extensively from foreign governments and lenders. This poll asked Kenyans nationally: which is better — development for us, or development by us? It measures how the public views the country’s appetite for foreign loans, who is seen to be lending, how well government is judged to be handling the debt, and how the scale of that debt makes people feel.
Background
Which is better? Development for us, or development by us?
As a developing country and one of the largest economies in sub-Saharan Africa, Kenya continues to industrialize and invest heavily in its infrastructure. In order to achieve its development goals, Kenya has borrowed heavily and gone out of its way to attract multiple investors in different sectors from across the world.
In the last decade a lot of this investment has gone to transport (road, ports and railways), energy, agriculture and housing. Many argue, though, that these projects are unsustainable.
Some Ongoing & Proposed Projects
- The proposed Lamu coal powered plant
- The Nairobi Expressway
- The Standard Gauge Railway project
- Multiple China Road and Bridge Corporation construction projects
Survey Methodology
Sample Distribution by Region
Regional population, 18+ population, sample proportion and achieved sample size.
| Region | Population (M) | 18+ Population (M) | Sample Proportion | Regional Sample | Achieved Sample |
|---|
Kenyans Oppose the State’s Appetite for Foreign Loans
Due to its development obligations, Kenya regularly borrows money from foreign governments to finance projects. Do you think this is a good thing? (n = 829)
By Region — Central, Coast and Rift Valley Are Most Opposed
| Region | Yes, Good Thing | No, Not Good | Don’t Know |
|---|
Perceived Source of Kenya’s Loans
Which one country would you say gives Kenya a lot of loans? (n = 829)
Why Lenders Keep Giving Kenya Loans
In your opinion, why do you think it that …… keeps giving Kenya loans for development purposes? (n = 829)
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“The Kenyan Government Keeps Asking It For Loans”
“It Doesn’t Care How Loans Are Used, As Long As Repaid With Interest”
4 in 10 Kenyans Define Bad Debt as Money Lost to Corruption
Which of the following would you say best defines what BAD DEBT is for a country like Kenya? (n = 829)
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Government’s Handling of Foreign Debt Rated Poor
On a scale of 1–10 where 1 is extremely poorly and 10 is very well, how would you rate the Kenyan government’s handling of its debt owed to foreign nations? (n = 829)
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By Region — Western, Coast, Central, Nairobi and Eastern Rate It Most Poorly
| Region | Poor | Average | Excellent | Don’t Know |
|---|
81% Feel Anxious, Fearful or Angry About Kenya’s Debt
Overall, which of the following describes how you feel about the level of Kenya’s foreign debt? (n = 829)
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By Region — Nyanza, Western, Eastern and North Eastern Are Most Anxious
Top Concerns About Kenya’s Foreign Debt
What concerns you the most about the level of Kenya’s foreign debt? (n = 829)
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By Region
Who We Spoke To: Survey Demographics
Profile of the 829 achieved respondents
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About InfoTrak Research & Consulting
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Infotrak has proven to be an integral and reliable partner not only in providing business solutions but also governance & public policy insights.
Infotrak Research and Consulting is a professional research company founded and incorporated under the laws of Kenya in 2004, following the vision of the founder to provide the Pan African market with suitable information solutions required to sustain the needs of the ever-growing economies. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, Infotrak also has affiliate offices in Lagos, Nigeria and field contacts in more than 20 other countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
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