Unemployment and soaring food prices hit Kenyan households hard – Poll

Unemployment and rising food costs remain the biggest financial burdens for Kenyan households, according to the latest Infotrak poll conducted in December 2025.

The survey found that 26 per cent of respondents cited unemployment as their main challenge, closely followed by high food prices at 25 per cent.

School fees ranked third at 17 per cent, highlighting the sustained pressure of education costs on families.

Other challenges included low wages (14 per cent), healthcare expenses (8 per cent), and rent and housing (5 per cent), with household debt also noted by 5 per cent of respondents.

The poll reveals that financial pressures vary across age groups.

Among young Kenyans aged 18 to 26, unemployment is the dominant concern, with 44 per cent identifying it as their main financial challenge.

“Young people are struggling to access stable employment despite rising levels of education,” the report notes.

For older adults, the pattern shifts. Respondents aged over 55 cited school fees as their top concern, with 26 per cent highlighting the cost of education for children and grandchildren.

Analysts say the findings point to a clear “life-cycle” of financial stress in Kenya, where youth struggle to enter the workforce, while older citizens shoulder the secondary costs of education.

“In many cases, the elderly are financing schooling for family members who, upon graduation, are unable to secure employment, creating a cycle of dependency rather than wealth creation,” analysts observed.

The Infotrak poll was conducted on December 19 and 20 using Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI).

A total of 1,000 adults aged 18 and above were surveyed across all 47 counties and eight regions of Kenya.

Sampling was proportionate to population size, with data weighted to correct for minor demographic imbalances.

The survey had a margin of error of ±3.10 per cent at a 95 per cent confidence level, and data was processed using SPSS version 27 to ensure accuracy.

The findings underscore the depth and complexity of household financial stress in Kenya, pointing to the urgent need for policies addressing youth unemployment, high living costs, and long-term income security across generations.