Kenya is facing a staggering inequality gap: the country’s top 125 wealthiest individuals now own more wealth than 42.6 million Kenyans living in what Oxfam report calls “extreme poverty.”
This exposes deep structural disparities and it has ignited fresh debate about wealth distribution, poverty and social policy, which could fuel public debate around wealth distribution, taxation, and social justice
Inequality by the numbers
According to the report, nearly half of Kenya’s population lives on less than KSh 130 per day.
Meanwhile, the richest 125 individuals own wealth that exceeds what those 42.6 million people combined hold.
This means that if these individuals’ collective wealth were converted to KSh 100 notes, it would “cover almost the entirety of Nairobi County,” the Oxfam report says.
Among other findings: a chief executive in some of the country’s top firms earns on average 214 times more than a teacher.
The report also shows the number of people living in extreme poverty has risen by 7 million (a 37 % increase) since 2015.
Pressure on public services and social protection
The widening inequality, according to Oxfam, is driven by structural challenges. The report points out that in 2024, out of every KSh 100 collected in taxes, KSh 68 went to debt repayment — more than twice the budget allocated for education and nearly 15 times that for health.
Under-funding of essential services has deep consequences. Children from the poorest 20 % of households receive almost five fewer years of schooling than peers from the richest 20 %.
Meanwhile, only about 4 million Kenyans of the 53+ million population contribute actively to social health insurance.
Oxfam’s Kenya Executive Director Mwongera Mutiga warned that inequality is not a natural phenomenon but a result of poor policies and political inaction.
“The gap between the rich and the poor has been allowed to grow unchecked, while millions struggle just to survive,” he said. “This injustice is no longer tolerable. … Reducing inequality is not only possible—it is urgent, necessary, and long overdue.”
Impacts on social fabric, economy and hope
With more Kenyan households facing food insecurity, shrinking access to education and healthcare, and limited social safety nets, the exclusion of large portions of the population imperils sustainable growth and national cohesion.
Oxfam notes that 17 million people are now experiencing severe or moderate food insecurity — driven partly by climate shocks, inflation, and unequal distribution of resources.
The report warns that unless structural changes are introduced — including progressive taxation, increased spending on public services, and reforms to social protection — Kenya risks entrenching a two-tier society: a wealthy elite and a marginalized majority.
What could reverse the trend?
Policy recommendations from Oxfam include raising allocation to education to at least 20 % of government spending and boosting capitation per student to match inflation, as well as increasing health allocations to improve access to care.
The report also calls for wealth and progressive taxation on high-net-worth individuals and corporations, arguing that unfair tax policies have helped preserve wealth concentration and limited revenue for essential public service funding.
Read Also: https://thevoice.co.ke/rironi-mau-summit-road-progress-amidst-concerns/
The debate begins
As the report circulates, reactions are predictable: civil society groups applaud the findings and call for urgent reforms; meanwhile, some business leaders hint at potential resistance to extra taxation or public spending pressure.
Some of the richest Kenyans are said to be in politics, manufacturing, and businesses, with some claiming that forex traders have also been showing the potential to join this class. While some openly show their wealth, others remain anonymous, making it hard to reveal their identity.
What’s clear, however, is that the stark numbers from Oxfam Kenya cannot be ignored. For many Kenyans, inequality is no longer an abstract concept — it is a daily lived reality. As 2025 draws to a close, the conversation around wealth, fairness, and national priorities is gaining urgency.