By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Kenya, 18 December 2025 - Support for Kenya’s Broad-Based Government (BBG) has doubled in just six months, even as most Kenyans continue to express frustration over worsening economic conditions and the country’s direction.
A new national opinion poll by Trends and Insights for Africa (TIFA), released on Thursday, paints a picture of shifting political attitudes amid persistent economic pressure.
According to the survey, backing for the partnership between President William Ruto and the late opposition leader Raila Odinga rose from 22 per cent in May to 44 per cent in November. TIFA notes that public scepticism has eased since August, when hostility peaked during anti-government protests.
“TIFA’s last three surveys reveal that support for the BBG has doubled (from 22% in May to 44% in November),” the report states, adding that the August opposition figure of 64 per cent was “most likely as a result of the violent suppression of protests in June and July.”
Yet the country remains sharply split. Forty-eight per cent still oppose the BBG, and discontent over the national outlook remains overwhelming. The poll shows 68 per cent of Kenyans believe the country is headed in the wrong direction, with only 17 per cent expressing optimism.
“The salience of political alignment is clear,” TIFA explains. “Among those who support the BBG only half (51%) consider [Kenya’s direction] to be ‘wrong’, while this negative view is held among well over three-quarters (84%) of those who oppose it.”
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Economic hardship features prominently in the findings. Two-thirds of households (67%) say their financial situation has worsened since the 2022 election. Inflation, unemployment and high taxes remain the most cited problems nationwide.
TIFA observes that economic and political views increasingly overlap: “Three times as many supporters of the BBG report that their economic conditions have improved as do its opponents (22% vs. 8%).”
The survey, conducted between 10 and 17 November among 2,053 respondents across nine regions, also notes the impact of Raila Odinga’s death in October on public sentiment. TIFA suggests the rise in support may reflect “a positive ‘sympathy’ vote,” though it remains uncertain whether the shift will last.
As Kenyans continue to confront the high cost of living, their support—or rejection—of the BBG appears increasingly tied to whether they feel their own lives are improving.
Support for Broad-Based Government Doubles as Kenyans Grapple With Harsh Economy — TIFA Survey
TIFA Poll: BBG Backing Rises from 22% in May to 44% in November
