As Kenya transitions into 2026, a growing number of citizens are expressing serious concerns about the country’s economic outlook, with recent surveys showing that many households are bracing for tougher times ahead.
According to a nationwide Infotrak opinion poll released this week, nearly half of Kenyans believe economic conditions will worsen next year, reflecting widespread anxiety fueled by rising living costs, job insecurity and financial strain.
The survey, conducted between December 19 and 20 across all 47 counties, found that 49 per cent of respondents expect the economy to deteriorate in 2026, making pessimism about the future the leading national concern. While about 29 per cent of Kenyans remain cautiously optimistic that the new year could be better, a significant portion (approximately 30 per cent) are uncertain about what lies ahead, underlining the pervasive ambivalence about economic recovery.
Financial worries extend beyond broad economic forecasts to daily household realities. The poll revealed that 34 per cent of respondents fear their personal finances will get worse next year, with high food prices, transport costs and shrinking disposable incomes at the heart of their anxieties.
Despite official figures showing inflation within the Central Bank’s target range, many Kenyans say the real cost of living feels much higher as essential goods continue to take up a larger share of household budgets.
Economic strain is also influencing people’s behaviours and coping strategies. More than one in three surveyed admitted to seeking secondary income sources or side jobs in 2025, highlighting the lengths to which households are going to supplement earnings amidst slowing wage growth and limited job opportunities. Other coping strategies reported included cutting non-essential spending, borrowing from friends or family, and relying on community support networks.
The impact of financial stress is affecting well-being and mental health. Another poll indicated that one in two Kenyans reported increased stress directly linked to economic pressures, with many pointing to challenges such as securing food, paying school fees, accessing healthcare, and meeting daily expenses. For some households, persistent financial worry has translated into anxiety and health issues, signaling that the effects of economic strain are now extending into social and emotional domains.
Underlying these concerns are structural issues such as unemployment, stagnant wages and perceptions about governance. Earlier surveys have shown that many Kenyans view the economy and cost of living as the country’s most serious problems, outweighing concerns like corruption, governance and security. In some regions, especially rural areas and places with higher unemployment, the sense of economic dread is even more pronounced.
Despite the pessimism, there are mixed signals in the broader economy. Some recent data points to private sector activity growth, with surveys suggesting increased business output in parts of the economy. These trends offer a counterpoint to household sentiment, suggesting that overall economic performance may not be uniformly weak even as public confidence remains fragile.
