The rising cost of living has become a daily concern for many Kenyans, particularly young people struggling to balance education, employment and their hopes for the future.
As a university student and a young Kenyan, I believe this issue deserves greater attention because it affects not only how we live today but also the opportunities available to us tomorrow.
Over the past few years, the cost of essential goods and services has continued to put pressure on households.
Food, transport, housing, electricity and other basic expenses have become increasingly difficult to afford.
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, annual inflation stood at 6.6 per cent in August 2026, with food and non-alcoholic beverages, transport, and housing-related expenses among the major contributors to rising prices.
For an ordinary student, these figures are more than statistics. They reflect the realities of everyday life.
A student relying on a modest allowance may suddenly find themselves spending more on transport to campus, meals, accommodation and learning materials.
For young people already in employment, rising prices mean that their salaries no longer go as far as they once did.
The situation is made worse by unemployment. Education is often presented as the pathway to a better future, and many young Kenyans have invested years in earning diplomas and degrees in the hope of securing decent jobs.
Yet graduating does not automatically translate into employment. Some graduates spend months or even years searching for opportunities, while others settle for temporary, informal or poorly paid work simply to make ends meet.
A TIFA survey published in September 2026 found that unemployment and poverty were among the most serious concerns facing Kenyans, with 44 per cent of respondents identifying either unemployment or poverty as a major problem. Inflation, high prices and high taxes also featured prominently among public concerns.
These findings raise an important question: What kind of future are we creating for young people?
Young people make up a significant share of Kenya’s population and have enormous potential to contribute to national development.
We are entrepreneurs, creatives, professionals, farmers, journalists, innovators and workers across different industries. However, potential alone cannot guarantee progress. Young people need meaningful opportunities to turn their skills, education and ideas into sustainable livelihoods.
The growth of the digital economy has opened new doors. Many young Kenyans are earning through content creation, photography, videography, digital marketing, freelancing and other online platforms.
These opportunities demonstrate the creativity and resilience of our generation. However, access remains unequal. Reliable internet, suitable equipment, relevant training and affordable capital are still beyond the reach of many young people.
Taxation is another issue that cannot be separated from the rising cost of living. The government needs revenue to finance public services, build infrastructure and support national development. However, citizens also need confidence that the taxes they pay are being used responsibly and delivering tangible benefits.
When the tax burden rises while households and businesses are already struggling with high prices, the pressure becomes even greater.
Small businesses may find it harder to expand, while young entrepreneurs face additional barriers to starting and sustaining their ventures. The result can be fewer opportunities for employment and economic advancement.
Kenya’s public debt is also an important part of this conversation. The Public Debt Management Office has highlighted the significance of commercial borrowing in the country’s debt portfolio.
Such borrowing generally carries higher servicing costs than concessional loans. This matters because money spent servicing public debt cannot be used simultaneously to finance other priorities, including education, healthcare, infrastructure and programmes that support job creation.
Nevertheless, it is important to acknowledge that Kenya’s economy continues to grow. According to the 2026 Economic Survey, the country’s real gross domestic product expanded by 4.6 per cent in 2025, with several sectors recording growth.
The challenge is ensuring that this economic progress translates into better living standards, decent jobs and greater opportunities, particularly for young people and low-income households.
As a young Kenyan, I believe the national conversation must therefore move beyond asking whether the economy is growing. We must also ask who is benefiting from that growth. Are new jobs being created? Can young graduates find meaningful employment? Are small businesses receiving the support they need to expand? And are ordinary households finding it easier to afford basic necessities?
These are important questions because economic growth should ultimately improve people's lives. Growth figures may look encouraging on paper, but their impact is limited if families continue to struggle to put food on the table and young people cannot secure work despite their qualifications.
Young people also have a responsibility to contribute to their own progress. We must continue developing our skills, embracing innovation, exploring entrepreneurship and taking advantage of emerging opportunities.
However, individual effort must be matched by an environment that allows people to succeed. Access to education, affordable financing, digital infrastructure and fair employment opportunities is essential.
Equally important is the need to include young people in discussions about policies that shape their future.
We should not be viewed merely as voters or recipients of government programmes. We are stakeholders in Kenya’s development, and our experiences, ideas and concerns deserve a place in national decision-making.
The writer is a student at Mount Kenya University.
