Pollster Peter Oriare describes how the survey was carried out

The results of the survey - published in the Daily Nation - will come as a blow for loyalists from the ruling party, the Kenya African National Union (Kanu), who had been calling for the constitution to be amended to allow the president to stay in office.

The Nation Media Group polled 3,000 people of all ages and social classes across the country's eight provinces.

87% of those interviewed said President Moi should step down at the end of his fourth term in 2002.

In North Eastern province 100% of those questioned said he should go, while in his home province of Rift Valley the figure dropped to 78%.

The poll, which was conducted just before the recent government reshuffle, suggests that opposition to the president staying on is highest among more educated people.

51% of those with no formal education think the president should resign while 97.4% of university graduates think he should go.

It shows that the number of people who would like the president to retire increases with their level of education, from 51% for people with no formal education up to 97.4% for those who have been to university.

Representative sample

The Daily Nation said the poll was carried out by Strategic Public Relations and Research in Nairobi and says "the result is an accurate reflection of the views of estimated population of 30 million."

However the government has in the past cast doubt on such polls, accusing them of being biased.

President Moi himself has frequently said he will step down in 2002 as long as a suitable replacement has been found.

The opinion poll also asked who Kenyans see as alternative leaders.

Among those most mentioned were opposition party leaders Raila Odinga, Mwai Kibaki and Charity Ngilu, former Finance Minister Simeon Nyachae and current Vice-President George Saitoti.