According to an opinion poll conducted by Infotrak, Kenyans have raised five key issues of concern that they want the government to address as a priority.

These issues have made 57 per cent of Kenyans perceive that the country is headed in the wrong direction.

High cost of living

The leading concern is the high cost of living, with 66 per cent of the populace voicing their pain over the prevailing situation.

40 per cent attributed the rising cost of living to the current tax regime, which they believe is fuelling the high prices of goods and services, while another 19 per cent linked it to global factors.

The public generally feels that the high cost of basic commodities is largely due to internal issues, stemming from poor policymaking, corruption, and mismanagement of public funds. According to the survey, Kenyans want immediate and impactful measures to stabilise the prices of essential goods and to protect vulnerable segments of the population.

unemployment

Unemployment has also emerged as a critical concern, with 30 per cent of Kenyans demanding that it be given top priority by the current regime.

SHIF/SHA

A further 30 per cent expressed frustration with poor governance, combined with controversies surrounding SHIF and SHA. The public wants the government to set the record straight on the implementation of the new medical scheme, which continues to fuel public anxiety.

corruption

Rampant corruption remains another major concern, with 14 per cent of Kenyans citing it as a key issue dragging the country backward. Challenges in the education sector also feature among the five main concerns that Kenyans want addressed with immediate effect.

The pollster has recommended that the government prioritise immediate and tangible economic relief to reverse the dominant negative mood in the country.

Kenya heading in right direction

On the flip side, 17 per cent of Kenyans believe the country is headed in the right direction, attributing this to the peace and stability currently being enjoyed. However, Infotrak noted that the sense of peace and stability has been overshadowed by economic hardships, which continue to weigh heavily on households and demand urgent solutions that will make the economy more favourable.