OPINION polls are always very controversial but they can be very revealing. They can show who is going up and who is going down. Opinion polls are an essential part of modern democratic politics. We cannot do without them.

The Star regularly runs the results of opinion polls on the front page with banner headlines. We know that our readers are interested in how the political process is panning out. However it is important that we have confidence in the integrity of research companies.

Two new polls have just been released. One by Strategic Insight on Sunday showed that Mudavadi was leading. One yesterday by CPS Research International showed that Uhuru and Ruto would win the election.

In both cases it would appear that interested parties sponsored the polls. Neither company is among the 12 members of Marketing and Social Research Association of Kenya.

The other main political pollsters - Strategic Research, Infotrak and Ipsos Synovate - are members of the MRSA that was formed to self-regulate polling in Kenya.

The Star has decided not to run the results of opinion polls by companies that are not MRSA members. The Star will not publicise the polls by Strategic Insight and CPS.

Quote of the day: "You must accept the truth from whatever source it comes." - Rabbi Moses Maimonides died on December 12, 1204