But Catholics are "extremely excited" by the Pope’s Kenya tour with 98 per cent of the Catholics polled saying the visit has excited them.
Another 91 per cent of non-Catholics are of a similar opinion, the poll shows
“Pope Francis’ humility has endeared him to both Catholics and non-Catholics,” said Infotrak's Angela Ombitho.
“In general, people find that he does present a shift not only in Christianity but in global leadership" she added
The poll further shows that 87 per cent of Catholics in Kenya have a favourable opinion on the Pope while 82 per cent of non-Catholics are of a similar opinion.
The poll, which was conducted between October 3 and November 20, 2015, had a sample size of 777 individuals representing 19 million adult Kenyans.
It was conducted in all counties.
The poll also revealed that 95 per cent of Catholics believe Pope Francis presents a major change of direction for the Catholic Church, a view that is held by 84 per cent of non-Catholics
Also, 98 per cent of Catholics in Kenya believe that the Pope presents a major shift in Christianity while 85 per cent of non-Catholics holds the same view.
At the same time, 97 per cent of Catholics believe the Pope also presents a major shift in global leadership, a view which is held by 85 per cent of non-Catholics
Kenyans also want the Pope to address various issues including peaceful co-existence, corruption, immorality and social justice, among others.
Kenyans have a reason to celebrate Pope Francis finally arrives in the country Wednesday for the fourth visit to Kenya by a Pontiff.
Police have announced that key roads in Nairobi will remain closed to traffic to ensure security during the papal visit, the first by Pope Francis since he ascended to the seat in 2013.
Papal visits are characterised by great expectations.
When John Paul visited Kenya 35 years ago, many hoped that he would challenge President Daniel arap Moi’s administration to implement policies that would help the needy.
One of the expectations on the eve of Pope Francis’ visit is that he will challenge and encourage Kenyans to face and resolve the question of negative ethnicity.
It is interesting that two days before his arrival, the Holy Father sent a video message to Kenyans, stating national reconciliation would be one of the issues he will address.
According to an opinion poll published on Sunday by Infotrak Research and Consulting, Kenyans want the Pope to address the question of peaceful co-existence, good governance, tribalism and human rights.
They also want him to raise the issue of corruption when he meets political leaders.
The Pope is expected to meet President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House on Wednesday evening.
Respondents also said that when he meets religious leaders on Thursday morning, he should talk about peaceful co-existence (49 per cent), exercising leadership (39 per cent), immorality (14.3 per cent) and social justice (11.3 per cent).
According to the survey, since Pope Francis was elected into office, 79 per cent of respondents indicated that they had become more inclined to giving more importance to their families and treating others with kindness.
The Pope also seems to have had a positive influence on prayer as 74 per cent indicated that they have been praying more regularly since the Pope’s election.
According to the National Steering Committee in charge of the Pope’s visit, all priests and other clergy attending Thursday Mass will be required to dress formally in vestments prescribed for the event.
The congregation has also been urged to care for the environment before, during and after the mass.
Clerics have been directed to park their vehicles at the Consolata Shrine and walk to the venue of the mass that will begin at 10am.
People who have difficulties walking will be taken to the venue in special shuttles but they have to obtain clearance in advance.
Due to the large number of people expected to attend, no vehicles will be allowed into the city centre, or anywhere near the venue of the Mass. Only special and emergency vehicles will be allowed in the proximity of the venue.
All people entering the University of Nairobi’s Graduation Square — where the Mass will be celebrated — must have the special cards and badges that have been issued by the Steering Committee.
his applies even to the priests and religious leaders.
Meanwhile, Kangemi, where the Pope is expected to visit on Friday, has undergone a facelift in readiness for the reception.
The Pope will celebrate his second Mass at the Kangemi Catholic Parish.
Area MCA Peter Isuha said the visit was the catalyst they wanted for the largely slum area to get development.
“We had presented proposals for our people for many years and the Pope’s visit was the push we wanted,” he said, noting that roads were being repaired and security had also improved after street lights were installed.
Children walk along a rehabilitated road leading to St Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Kangemi where the Pope will say Mass on Friday. Some business people claim their lives have been disrupted and they are already losing business as preparations for the Pope's visit to Kangemi
Friday’s visit by Pope Francis to Kangemi is already eliciting mixed reactions among residents.
While many Kangemi residents are excited about infrastructural facelifts ahead of the Pope’s visit, a few, especially business people claim their lives have been disrupted and they are already losing business.
The Area County Assembly Member Peter Isuha said the Pope’s visit is all they needed for the area to get any development.
“We have had presented proposals for our people for many years and the Pope’s visit was the push we wanted,” said Mr. Isuha.
Mr Isuha said that roads, which are still being repaired, are expected to be ready by Wednesday.
He said that said security has improved with the installation of street lights.
According to Mr Isuha, blocked drainage systems in the area have also been unblocked.
“We are happy that drainage systems have been unblocked, roads have been graveled and faulty flood lights repaired in most parts of the slum,” said Mr Isuha.
The Kenya Power company has also installed a new transformer in the area.
The MCA said hawkers, who have been doing business along the link road to the main highway, have been relocated to allow for the repair of the road.
However, many business people, especially hawkers are not happy about the Pope’s visit which they claim has disrupted their lives.
“With the coming of only one man, we have been forced to move our stalls and this has led to the loss of our daily income from our businesses. Let him come and go,” a trader at Kangemi Market who declined to be named said.
The Pope, who arrives in the country on Wednesday, will say Mass at the Kangemi Catholic Parish on Friday.
President Uhuru Kenyatta walks away after inspecting the Papal Altar at the University of Nairobi where Pope Francis will celebrate a Mass.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has declared November 26, 2015 a public holiday and a national day of prayer and reflection.
“As we are privileged to be hosting His Holiness the Pope at the time, he will set the tone for the day,” a statement from State House spokesperson Manoah Esipisu said on Tuesday.
Pope Francis is scheduled to arrive in Nairobi on Wednesday 5 p.m in his first tour in Africa that will see him visit also Uganda and the Central African Republic.
Thursday will be the Pope’s busiest day during the tour. He will hold an inter-religious meeting in the morning then proceed to celebrate a public mass at the University of Nairobi grounds.
He will later in the afternoon head to the St Mary’s school grounds where he will meet the Catholic Church clergy and seminarians and then visit the United Nations Environmental Programme headquarters in Gigiri.
Nairobi’s central business district is expected to be on lockdown on Thursday as millions of Kenyans turn up for the Papal Mass. Those who will not get space at the venue will get the chance to follow the Mass via large screens that will be set up at Uhuru Park.
Clerics attending the mass have been directed to park their vehicles at the Consolata Shrine and walk to the venue of the mass that will begin at 10 am.
People who have difficulties walking will be taken to the venue in special shuttles but they have to obtain clearance in advance.
Due to the large number of people expected to attend, no vehicles will be allowed into the city centre, or anywhere near the venue of the Mass.
Only special and emergency vehicles will be allowed in the proximity of the venue.
All people entering the University of Nairobi’s Graduation Square — where the Mass will be celebrated — must have the special cards and badges that have been issued by the Steering Committee. This applies even to the priests and religious leaders.
According to the police, all inbound vehicles using Mombasa Road will be stopped at Bunyala Roundabout where secure parking will be provided at Nyayo Stadium.
Vehicles coming from Ngong Road will also be stopped at Kenya National Library Service building while those using Valley Road will not move past Silver Springs Roundabout.
Other roads expected to be blocked towards the CBD are Lenana Road and Dennis Pritt Road while motorists using Arboretum Road will not be allowed past Kileleshwa Petrol station.
Vehicles inbound to town using Waiyaki way will be blocked after Villa Rosa Kempinsky hotel and will not access the overpass and underpass at Ojijo which will be blocked.
Thika Superhighway will be blocked at Forest Road while those intending to use Murang’a Road will end their journey at University Way near Lillian Towers.
Uhuru Highway is also expected to be blocked along Kenyatta Avenue near GPO while Haile Selassie Avenue will not be accessible from Upper Hill.
On the same evening, Limuru Road is expected to be affected as the Pope will be heading to UNEP headquarters in Gigiri.
The Pope Mobile to be used by Pope Francis during his visit to Nairobi
Isuzu Kenya posted images of the custom made Pope mobile on its official Facebook page on Tuesday, settling the debate on a covered up pickup that was spotted in Nairobi two weeks ago.
“The Isuzu D-Max Pope mobile was designed with the security and comfort of Pope Francis in mind. The double-cab was customised for the Pope’s chair and additional seats for his companions,” wrote the company.
According to Isuzu, the glass shielding is made of plexiglass and was placed in front to protect the Pope.
“The Pope’s emblem emblazoned with a banig design adds a Filipino touch to the car. The chair is made from Italian leather with red carpet imported from Italy,” wrote the company.
The Isuzu Pope mobile was used during the Papal visit to Philippines in January this year.
The original plan was to use a closed Volkswagon Touran during his five-day visit, but Pope Francis chose to ride in the customised D-Max giving crowds a much better view.
The making of the D-Max was a joint undertaking of Almazora Motors and Gencars, who sell Isuzu pickup trucks and sports utility vehicles.
Pope Francis is scheduled to arrive in Nairobi on Wednesday 5 p.m in his first tour in Africa that will see him visit also Uganda and the Central African Republic.
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