Economic hardships have pushed ordinary Kenyans to the brink – Jeremiah Kioni
By Joel Masibo, January 1, 2026Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni has painted a sobering picture of the economic strain facing Kenyan households as the country steps into the new year, saying millions are entering 2026 weighed down not by resolutions, but by survival concerns.
In his New Year message on Thursday, January 1, 2026, the former Ndaragwa Member of Parliament highlighted the silent struggles of parents unsure where the next meal or school fees will come from, young people who have done “everything right” yet remain unemployed or underemployed, and families forced to hold themselves together quietly amid deepening hardship.
Economic hardships
”Some of us are carrying unanswered questions. Parents wondering where the next meal or school fees will come from. Young people doing everything right and still waiting for a break. Families holding things together quietly, because they have no other choice,” Kioni shared via X.
According to Kioni, the past year extracted heavy sacrifices from households that were already stretched thin by the high cost of living. Rising food prices, increased taxation, job losses and shrinking incomes have left many families with little room to breathe. He noted that those bearing the greatest economic burden often have the least influence over decisions that directly affect their lives.
”This past year asked a lot from many of us. It demanded sacrifice from households that were already stretched. And too often, those carrying the heaviest load had the least voice in the decisions that shaped their lives,” he added, further warning that leadership disconnected from the cost of its decisions risks deepening inequality and eroding public trust.
Despite the pressure, Kioni praised the resilience of Kenyans who continue to push on, waking up early, seeking opportunities, and choosing responsibility even when the rewards feel elusive. He described this quiet determination as the backbone that has kept the country standing through difficult times.
Showing resilience
”Still, people kept going. Waking up early. Trying again. Choosing responsibility even when the return felt unfair. That quiet effort is what has kept this country standing,” Kioni added.
Looking ahead, Jeremiah Kioni called for a shift toward justice, accountability and opportunity, insisting that leadership must earn trust rather than assume it. He emphasised the need for an economy where hard work is fairly rewarded, young people can realistically aspire to a better future, and household sacrifices are acknowledged rather than exploited.