A new nationwide survey by Stahili Pulse Reports has revealed that a majority of Kenyans view the government’s economic performance as poor, despite maintaining optimism about their personal financial prospects.
The survey, which sampled 1,209 respondents across several counties, found that 35.8% of Kenyans described the government’s economic performance as poor, while 25.8% rated it fair. Only 23% of respondents said it was excellent and 15.2% considered it good.
This means that over 61% of Kenyans perceive the government’s economic management as suboptimal, compared to just 38% who hold a positive view.
Who Took Part in the Survey
The report noted that Nairobi County contributed the largest share of participants at 15.6%, followed by counties such as Kiambu, Nakuru, Nyeri, Kericho, Bungoma, and Kakamega. Respondents from other regions, categorized as “Others,” made up 48.3% of the sample.
The survey skewed heavily toward younger and male participants. Gen Z represented the largest age group at 52.5%, followed by Millennials (15.1%) and an unnamed group at 30.5%. Male respondents accounted for 74.4%, females 21.3%, while the rest preferred not to disclose their gender.
Optimism Amid Economic Challenges
Despite the overall dissatisfaction, optimism remains high on a personal level. 66.4% of respondents expect their family income to increase in the coming months, while 19% foresee no change, and 14.5% anticipate a decline.
However, 66.4% also expect retail prices to rise, and 67.9% predict interest rates will go up — indicators of ongoing cost-of-living concerns.
Business Sentiment
Nearly half (49.6%) of respondents said business conditions are worse than six months ago, while 34.1% said they have improved. Looking ahead, 48.1% expect better business conditions in the next six months, showing cautious optimism despite current challenges.
