60% of Kenyans are very satisfied with the way the Kenyan Government handled Raila Odinga’s funeral, 29% were partially satisfied while 11% were not satisfied, according to the latest TIFA survey.

Regional data showed varying levels of approval. Central Rift recorded the highest number of respondents who were very satisfied at 78 per cent, followed by Western at 68 per cent, Northern at 65 per cent, and Nairobi at 63 per cent.

In Nyanza, a majority of residents also rated the government’s handling positively, with 54 per cent saying they were very satisfied. This figure, while lower than in some regions, still reflected overall approval among local residents.

“Among all Kenyans and across the country, sentiment is generally positive regarding the Government’s handling of the several matters related to Raila’s passing, with only Coast residents having a plurality holding a less than ‘very satisfied’ opinion on this (‘somewhat satisfied’: 49 per cent; ‘not satisfied’: 11 per cent), though as among residents of South Rift and Mt. Kenya, those from Raila’s home region of Nyanza, only a slim majority accord the state the highest rating here (‘very satisfied’: 54 per cent, with 55 per cent and 53 per cent for the other two zones, respectively). Highest levels of such satisfaction are expressed by residents of Central Rift ( 78 per cent), followed by Western, Northern and Nairobi (68 per cent, 65 per cent and 63 per cent, respectively),” TIFA reported. 

Poor crowd control, clashes, and limits placed on mourners during the public viewing of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s body were the main issues raised by Kenyans who felt the government did not manage the general well, a new survey by TIFA shows.

The opinion poll released on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, indicates that dissatisfaction was limited to a small portion of the population.

According to the findings, 89 per cent of Kenyans said they were satisfied with the government’s response, while 11 per cent said they were not.

TIFA found that 23 per cent of the respondents blamed violence, congestion, and access controls that prevented some mourners from viewing the body.

Another 22 per cent of dissatisfied respondents said they felt the tone and actions of top officials during the mourning period did not match how Raila had been treated during his political life, creating doubts about the sincerity of their gestures.

“Among the minority (11 per cent) who say they were ‘not satisfied’ with the Government’s response to Raila’s passing (including body-viewing and funeral arrangements), most cited the violence and/or restrictions surrounding viewing of the body (23 per cent) and a perceived insincerity by senior officials in contrast to how he had been treated in life (22 per cent),” read part of TIFA report.

Eleven per cent of dissatisfied respondents said there was not enough openness around aspects of Raila’s passing, while an equal share felt the mourning and burial period was rushed.

At the same time, TIFA reported that 11 per cent of the dissatisfied respondents believed public funds were used unnecessarily, while just 3 per cent said opposition leaders were sidelined by being left out of the list of speakers.

“Criticism, where it exists, centres on crowd management and perceptions of insincerity rather than the decision to honour him,” TIFA noted in its analysis.

The survey was conducted between November 10 and 17, 2025, and involved 2,053 randomly selected adults from all 47 counties.