A new Infotrak survey reveals that a significant number of Kenyans are still unsure about the country’s direction, even as the overall mood shows slight improvement.
The poll indicates that 42 per cent of respondents feel Kenya is moving in the wrong direction, while 21 per cent see the country heading positively. Another 32 per cent said the nation is neither on the right nor wrong track, signaling a large group adopting a “wait-and-see” approach.
Compared to September 2024, public sentiment has improved, when 73 per cent of Kenyans said the country was off course. Yet, the share of those who feel Kenya is on the right track has only edged up from 15 per cent to 21 per cent, reflecting continued caution among citizens.
The survey also highlights differences across gender, region, and age. Men are slightly more optimistic, with 23 per cent expressing a positive outlook, compared to 18 per cent of women.
Regionally, North Eastern Kenya is the most hopeful, with 42 per cent believing the nation is on the right path. Central Kenya shows the highest dissatisfaction, with 65 per cent of residents indicating the country is moving in the wrong direction.
Among younger citizens aged 18–26, 38 per cent feel the country is off track, the lowest among all age groups. This demographic also registers the highest “don’t know” response at 12 per cent, suggesting uncertainty or political disengagement among youth.
Economic struggles and the rising cost of living remain the top reasons for negative sentiment, cited by 67 per cent of respondents. Other issues include unemployment (33%), poor governance and politics (27%), and problems in the education sector (26%).
Concerns about stalled development and infrastructure delays were noted by 25 per cent, while health sector inefficiencies (12%), corruption (10%), and human rights violations (8%) were also mentioned.
For those expressing positive views, satisfaction with government performance leads at 46 per cent, followed by good infrastructure (23%) and the impact of devolution, with 29 per cent highlighting effective work by governors and county assemblies.
Other factors boosting optimism include peace (22%), affordable living costs (16%), healthcare improvements (16%), education (11%), and efforts to fight corruption and foster cooperation between ODM and UDA (each 8 per cent).
The late 2025 survey underscores growing public concern over stalled projects, health sector challenges, infrastructure delays, and human rights issues. Overall, the Infotrak findings show cautious optimism, tempered by persistent economic, political, and social challenges.
While fewer Kenyans now view the country as off track compared to last year, the results highlight the ongoing work required to restore public confidence in the nation’s direction.
