A growing wave of pessimism is sweeping across Kenya as households grapple with soaring living costs and dwindling job prospects. According to a 2025 poll by research firm Infotrak, the top worries among Kenyans are the high cost of living (40 %) and unemployment (36 %).
These two issues have eclipsed other traditional concerns such as health care, education, and infrastructure, underscoring how economic hardship is reshaping public sentiment.
The cost of daily life — a daily grind
Food, transport, fuel and utilities — the essentials — are becoming increasingly unaffordable. Nearly four in five Kenyans surveyed say the cost of living has risen over the past year, with many describing it as “Very High.”
For a majority of households, this means cutting back, juggling debt, or relying on informal earnings just to stay afloat.
In cities such as Nairobi and Mombasa, rising rent and transport fares have eroded disposable incomes. Rural families, meanwhile, face higher food and farm input prices — contributing to rising rural poverty and increasing migration toward urban areas in search of work.
For families in Nairobi, Kisumu or Eldoret, the effects are tangible. Inflation has squeezed budgets. Everyday essentials — food, transport, utilities — continue to get more expensive, even as wages stagnate. Many young people find themselves doing side-hustles merely to stay afloat.
For youth especially, the job shortage makes things worse. Kenya expects up to 800,000 new job-seekers annually. But with fewer formal roles being created, many are left to rely on part-time or informal work — often unstable and low-paying.
Jobs are scarce, especially for the youth
While Kenya’s labour force expands yearly — with the young population dominating — employment opportunities have failed to keep up. Official reports show youth unemployment remains high, even as average national unemployment hovers around 11.9 %.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki warned in July 2025 that over 60 % of the unemployed population are youth — a trend he tied to growing drug abuse, crime, and social disillusionment among young people.
The impact is especially severe for households relying on young members — graduates unable to find work, breadwinners forced to take informal side-hustles, or families migrating in search of uncertain opportunities.
A generation losing hope — or finding new routes
The poll reflects not just economic data, but a deeper sense of frustration. Many Kenyans now report anxiety about the future, describing 2025 as a “hard year” for raising a family or launching a career.
Yet, within the gloom, some are fighting back. Youth have turned to informal work — small businesses, freelancing, gig work or casual labour — to survive. Others are embracing entrepreneurship or taking advantage of training and micro-credit schemes hoping to beat the odds.
Still, these efforts often do little to ease the broader pressure on households. Without structural reform — ranging from job creation and skills training to inflation control — many families will continue to struggle.
What policymakers must do
Analysts argue that addressing the twin challenges of cost and unemployment requires a two-pronged approach:
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Stabilise the economy — contain inflation, ensure stable food and fuel supply, and limit price shocks for basic goods.
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Invest in youth employment and skills — expand vocational training, support small businesses, and link education to market demand.
Transparency and public-sector accountability also matter. Citizens want to know that promises translate into real jobs, not just headlines. And as frustration grows, the risk of social unrest increases — something that could destabilise the fragile recovery for thousands.
Still, there is room for cautious optimism. Some sectors — especially technology, trade, and small-enterprise growth — continue to absorb workers, and there’s a rising appetite among young Kenyans for entrepreneurship and informal commerce.
For now, many Kenyans continue to shoulder ballooning bills and shrinking prospects. The question remains: does 2026 bring relief — or more pain?
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