A recent survey by TIFA Research has revealed a deepening sense of public dissatisfaction with the direction Kenya is taking, with a significant 76 per cent of Kenyans expressing the belief that the country is headed in the wrong direction. This figure, recorded in June 2026, marks the highest level of discontent in TIFA’s tracking history, up from 68 per cent in November 2025. The survey indicates a growing negative public sentiment, as only 15 per cent of respondents believe that Kenya is moving in the right direction.
The survey sheds light on the economic pressures facing Kenyan households, with 65 per cent of respondents reporting that their personal or family economic situation has deteriorated since the 2022 General Election. This is contrasted with a mere 12 per cent who feel they are better off. Although the proportion of those reporting worsening conditions has decreased from 75 per cent in May 2025, the figures still highlight significant economic challenges. TIFA's findings also reveal that only 11 per cent of households earn more than 50,000 shillings a month, and 58 per cent of Kenyan adults are engaged in some form of employment, whether full-time, part-time, or self-employment.
The survey further underscores the bleak economic outlook, with 65 per cent of respondents describing the country’s overall economic situation as very bad, while a scant two per cent consider it very good. Economic hardship is identified as the leading concern among Kenyans, with unemployment and poverty cited by 44 per cent of respondents as the most pressing issues facing the nation. Inflation, high prices, and taxation follow closely behind at 25 per cent, and corruption is mentioned by 19 per cent of respondents.
Regional disparities in perceptions of Kenya’s direction are also evident. Dissatisfaction is most pronounced in the Mt Kenya region, where 90 per cent of respondents feel the country is on the wrong track. This sentiment is echoed in Nairobi at 89 per cent, Lower Eastern at 83 per cent, and South Rift at 82 per cent. In contrast, Northern and Central Rift regions recorded the highest positive assessments, with 38 per cent and 24 per cent, respectively, indicating that they believe Kenya is moving in the right direction.
The TIFA survey highlights the urgent need for policy interventions to address the economic challenges and restore public confidence in the country's trajectory.
