By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Kenya, 4 June 2026 - Nearly two-thirds of Kenyan households say their economic situation has deteriorated since President William Ruto took office in 2022, underscoring the persistent cost-of-living pressures facing families despite government efforts to stabilize the economy and spur growth.
The findings are contained in a new survey by Trends and Insights for Africa (TIFA), which paints a sobering picture of public sentiment on the economy, household welfare and the country's overall direction.
According to the poll, 64 percent of Kenyans say their family's economic circumstances are worse today than they were at the time of the 2022 General Election, while only 19 percent report being better off.
TIFA noted that although some macroeconomic indicators have improved, many households are yet to experience those gains in their daily lives.
"Economic sentiment remains fragile, with nearly two-thirds of households still reporting that they are worse off compared to the last election, suggesting that perceptions of recovery have yet to translate into lived experience," the survey states.
The findings come at a time when the government has repeatedly pointed to a stabilizing shilling, easing inflation and stronger economic growth as evidence that the economy is on a recovery path.
However, the survey suggests that many Kenyans continue to struggle with the realities of rising living costs, stagnant incomes and limited employment opportunities.
The poll found that economic issues overwhelmingly dominate public concerns.
Nearly half of respondents, 47 percent, identified inflation, high prices and taxation as the country's most serious challenge, while another 23 percent cited unemployment, poverty and the weak economy. Combined, seven in ten Kenyans view economic hardships as the nation's most pressing problem.
The findings mirror concerns repeatedly raised during recent public participation hearings on the Finance Bill 2026, where citizens voiced frustration over rising costs and fears that new tax proposals could further strain household budgets.
The survey also comes just weeks after Kenya's inflation rate rose to 6.7 percent in May, driven largely by increases in food, transport and fuel costs, placing additional pressure on household spending.
Beyond personal finances, the survey found widespread pessimism about the country's trajectory.
According to TIFA, 74 percent of respondents believe Kenya is moving in the wrong direction, compared to only 14 percent who feel the country is headed in the right direction.
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"Public sentiment has shifted decisively negative, with nearly three-quarters of Kenyans now saying the country is heading in the wrong direction," the report noted.
The findings suggest that economic frustrations are increasingly shaping broader perceptions of governance and national progress.
While discussions about economic vulnerability often focus on low-income households, analysts say the burden is increasingly being felt by Kenya's middle class.
Salaried workers continue to grapple with deductions such as PAYE, Housing Levy, Social Health Authority contributions and higher NSSF payments, even as food, rent, fuel and education costs remain elevated.
Small business owners and self-employed professionals have also reported reduced consumer spending and rising operational expenses, making it harder to maintain profitability.
Previous TIFA surveys have similarly found that most households continue to feel financially strained despite signs that the pace of economic decline may be slowing.
The survey presents a significant challenge for policymakers as Parliament considers the Finance Bill 2026 and the government seeks to increase revenue while maintaining public support.
Although Treasury officials argue that fiscal reforms are necessary to manage debt obligations and fund public services, the poll suggests that many citizens are measuring economic performance not through macroeconomic statistics but through the realities of their daily lives.
For millions of Kenyans, the key question is not whether economic indicators are improving, but whether their household finances are improving as well.
And according to the latest TIFA findings, a majority are still waiting to feel that recovery.