Two-Thirds of Kenyans Say Their Economic Situation Has Worsened
Two-thirds of Kenyans say their personal or household economic situation has worsened compared with the period before the 2022 General Election, pointing to continued pressure on households across the country. The latest TIFA survey, released on September 9, 2026, shows that 65% of Kenyans feel their economic situation has deteriorated since the last election. The [...] The post Two-Thirds of…
Two-thirds of Kenyans report their personal or household economic situation has worsened since the 2022 General Election, according to the latest TIFA survey released on September 9, 2026. This finding indicates ongoing pressure on households across the nation, even as any economic recovery has yet to translate into stronger confidence at the household level.
The survey, conducted in all nine regions, shows that 65% of Kenyans feel their economic situation has deteriorated since the last election, with 12% reporting an improvement – the lowest level since August last year.
The survey highlights a stark divide between supporters and opponents of the Broad-Based Government (BBG). Among BBG supporters, 19% reported an improvement, while 8% of BBG opponents did. Conversely, 73% of BBG opponents noted their economic situation had worsened, compared to 50% of BBG supporters. This discrepancy suggests that economic perceptions may be influenced more by political views than actual economic conditions.
Employment status also saw notable changes since the last election. The proportion of respondents identifying as students declined by 8%, reflecting that many former students have entered the labor market. Full-time, part-time, and casual employment each increased by about 2%, while self-employment rose by 3%. Retirement increased from 1% to 4%, indicating job creation as a major challenge for the next administration.
However, inflation has risen to nearly 7%, potentially offsetting any gains in nominal income and reducing purchasing power.
Despite widespread economic concerns, Kenyans appear to view their household situation slightly more positively than the national economy. Among BBG supporters, 55% describe their household economic situation as “very bad” or “somewhat bad,” while 72% of BBG opponents view it negatively. Yet, only 2% of all respondents consider the national economic situation “very good,” underscoring deep-seated economic discontent across political affiliations.
Written by urgent.news from KahawaTungu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
