High unemployment, skyrocketing food costs, and the rising burden of school fees were some of the biggest challenges Kenyan households faced in 2025, a new poll has shown.
The survey by Infotrak showed that high unemployment was the single biggest burden at 26 percent, followed by high food prices at 25 percent, and the rising burden of school fees at 17 percent. The poll, conducted between December 19 and 20, sampled 1,000 people aged 18 and above and had a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level.
“What we are seeing is sustained pressure on households, where income is not keeping pace with the cost of living,” Mr Johvine Wanyingo, a research manager at Infotrak noted.
Kenya continues to face significant unemployment challenges, with the overall rate estimated at 12.7 percent in 2024. The youth bear the brunt of this crisis, with youth unemployment soaring to 67 percent in 2025, leaving thousands of graduates and school leavers struggling to find meaningful work.
Young people between the ages of 15 and 24 are particularly affected, with an unemployment rate of 13.4 percent in this age group. Projections for 2025 indicate a modest rise in overall unemployment to 7.23 percent, which translates to nearly 1.95 million Kenyans without jobs.
Beyond household finances, the economic strain of 2025 translated into a pronounced psychosocial burden, one that cut across gender, age and geography. According to the findings, a clear majority of respondents at 50 percent said economic stress had negatively affected their day-to-day well-being.
The impact was particularly pronounced among men. More than half of male respondents reported experiencing heightened stress and emotional strain linked to financial pressure, compared with just under half of female respondents.
Mr Wanyingo noted that this gap reflects the disproportionate caregiving and household management roles borne by men.
Young also adults reported high levels of frustration and anxiety, largely driven by unemployment and income insecurity, while older respondents spoke of exhaustion and worry associated with sustaining households on low or fixed wages. In many cases, respondents described living in a state of constant alert - preoccupied with rent, food, school fees and debt - with little room for rest or long-term planning.
Most significant events of 2025
Several political and civic events stood out sharply in shaping how Kenyans remember 2025, underscoring a year defined as much by political transition as by economic strain. According to the survey, the death of Raila Odinga emerged as the single most significant event of the year, cited by 30 percent of respondents. For nearly a third of Kenyans, the moment symbolised the end of a political era and injected uncertainty into the country’s opposition politics.
The second most cited event was the Gen Z–led protests , mentioned by 12 percent of respondents. The protests marked a visible shift in civic engagement, signalling the rise of a younger, digitally mobilised generation challenging the political and economic status quo. For many respondents, the demonstrations reflected growing frustration among young people over unemployment, governance and the cost of living.
Issues related to political and civil rights also featured prominently in the national memory. Abductions and killings were cited by 6 percent of respondents as the most significant issue shaping 2025, while broader concerns around politics and governance accounted for 8 percent. Though smaller in proportion compared to economic pressures, these figures point to persistent anxiety about state power, accountability and personal safety.
Yet even as Kenyans reflect on a bruising 2025, their gaze is shifting toward 2026 with a mix of hope and apprehension.
Those expressing optimism for 2026 often cite the possibility of economic stabilisation, better policy implementation and relief from the relentless rise in prices. Pessimists, on the other hand, point to continued unemployment, high taxes and the lingering cost-of-living crisis as reasons to expect little change. Respondents who believe 2026 will be better than 2025 largely attribute their optimism to the prospect of economic stabilization. Many cited expectations of lower inflation, improved economic management and a slowdown in the rise of food and fuel prices as key reasons for their outlook.
Job creation also featured prominently among the drivers of optimism. Respondents expressed hope that employment opportunities - particularly for the youth - could improve in the coming year, easing pressure on households that have relied on a single income or informal work. Some linked this expectation to anticipated government interventions, infrastructure projects and broader economic recovery signals
“The government has launched projects such as the infrastructure fund that respondents believe will go a long way in improving the economic outlook and easing the burden on families through employment creation,” Mr Wanyingo said.
