© ILO/Marcel Crozet Jobless workers wait for employment opportunities in Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi.

1 in 4 Kenyans Jobless, TIFA Survey Reveals

A new survey by TIFA shows growing pessimism among Kenyans about the nation’s direction and their personal economic wellbeing.

According to the poll, 62% of respondents in 2025 said the country is headed the wrong way — up from 48% in 2023. The sense of disillusionment is most pronounced in Mt. Kenya (79%), Lower Eastern (73%), South Rift (70%), Nyanza (67%) and Nairobi (64%).

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Economic hardships and dissatisfaction with governance were cited as major concerns, with 70% of Kenyans saying their financial situation has worsened since 2022.

Mt. Kenya leads with 85% reporting deterioration, followed by Nairobi at 74%, South Rift at 72%, and Nyanza at 71%.

The controversial Finance Bill was highlighted as a key driver of hardship, with 82% saying it has pushed up the cost of food, transport, and utilities.

Additionally, 31% noted higher income taxes, while 21% reported reduced savings or disposable income.

Public support for the government has also fallen, with opposition rising from 54% in May 2025 to 64% in September.

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Meanwhile, 73% of respondents said authorities are not doing enough to investigate or stop extrajudicial killings and abductions.

On employment, the poll shows one in four Kenyans is jobless, while 25% are in full-time work, 23% self-employed, and 15% in part-time jobs.

The nationwide study, conducted between August 23 and September 3, 2025, interviewed 2,023 adults across all 47 counties.

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