Public perception on the Nyota Fund eligibility criteria remains split, with 44 per cent of Kenyans considering the rules fair, 46 per cent disagreeing, and 10 per cent undecided, according to a new Infotrak poll, highlighting the need for clearer communication or possible refinement of the criteria.
Despite this division, confidence in the programme’s integrity is relatively strong, with 57 per cent saying in-person validation is effective in preventing fraud without creating unnecessary barriers.
Regional findings reveal notable variations in perceptions of fairness. Support for the eligibility criteria was strongest in parts of the Western and North regions, while scepticism was more pronounced in Nairobi, Nyanza, Eastern and Coast regions.
In several regions, nearly half of respondents said the rules were unfair, reinforcing concerns about inclusivity and clarity in programme design.
Views also differed by income and employment status. Respondents earning under Sh50,000 were more divided, while higher-income earners showed slightly higher scepticism.
Among employment groups, public and private sector workers were more likely to view the criteria as unfair compared to those in the gig economy or self-employment, though uncertainty remained across all categories.
Gender and age analysis showed relatively small differences, with both men and women almost evenly split on whether the eligibility rules are fair.
Younger respondents aged 18–25 were slightly more likely to express uncertainty, suggesting limited awareness or understanding of the fund’s requirements.
Conversely, perceptions of in-person validation were consistently positive across most demographics.
A clear majority across regions, income levels and age groups agreed that physical verification helps curb fraud while maintaining access. Only 32 per cent felt the process was ineffective, while 11 per cent were unsure.
Overall, the findings suggest that while Nyota Fund safeguards enjoy broad public backing, greater transparency and targeted communication around eligibility could help bridge trust gaps and strengthen public confidence in the programme.
The survey was conducted by Infotrak Research & Consulting Limited on January 24, 2026 to assess public attitudes toward the government-backed Nyota Fund, particularly its eligibility framework and safeguards.
The poll was sponsored and financed by Infotrak and used Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI) to collect data from a nationally representative sample of adult Kenyans.
A total of 800 respondents aged 18 years and above were interviewed across all 47 counties and eight regions of Kenya, with the final weighted sample standing at 620 for the Nyota Fund questions.
The sampling frame was guided by the 2019 Census using population proportionate to size (PPS), ensuring national coverage.
Infotrak reported a 100 per cent response rate, with a margin of error of ±13.46 per cent at a 95 per cent confidence level. Data was analysed using SPSS version 27.
