Unemployment and high food prices are the top financial burdens for Kenyan households, a new poll by Infotrak Research and Consulting shows.

According to the poll released on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, unemployment leads at 26%, followed closely by high food prices at 25%.

“Unemployment (26%) and high food prices (25%) are the top financial burdens for Kenyan households,” the report reads in part.

Other financial burdens are school fees (17%), low wages (14%), healthcare costs (8%), rent/housing (5%), and debt (5%).

Youth most hit by unemployment

According to InfoTrak, specific burdens vary by demographic, with unemployment turning out as the primary concern for 44% of youth aged 18-26, while school fees became a dominant concern for those over 55 (26%).

“Economic pressure is widespread, but specific burdens vary by demographic; for instance, unemployment is the primary concern for 44% of youth aged 18-26, while school fees become a dominant concern for those over 55 (26%),” the report reads.

Youth struggling to enter the workforce

The pollster further highlights that the youth are struggling to enter the workforce, while older citizens are likely bearing the secondary cost of education for children or grandchildren.

“This data highlights a “life-cycle” of financial stress. Youth are struggling to enter the workforce, while older citizens are likely bearing the secondary cost of education for children or grandchildren. The elderly are often funding the education of dependents who, upon graduation, cannot find work to support the family, leading to a cycle of dependency rather than wealth creation,” the pollster stated.

The Coast region is the most hit region, facing the unemployment burden at 30%, followed by Nairobi (29%), Western (28%), Central (28%), Eastern (26%), Nyanza (21%), and North Eastern (18%).

The biggest financial burden facing the Northeastern region is high food prices, at 43%.

High cost of living

The latest survey comes days after the pollster revealed that the rising cost of living was the most influential factor shaping voter choice ahead of Kenya’s 2027 general election. 

According to Infotrak survey findings released on Sunday, December 28, 2025, the poll analyses voter priorities by gender and age.

The survey shows that 46 per cent of respondents consider the cost of living as the single most important issue that will determine how they vote, cutting across gender and age groups.

Men (47 per cent) and women (44 per cent) are almost equally concerned. Young voters aged 18–26 years show heightened sensitivity to the issue, with 54 per cent citing the cost of living as their top concern.

The figure rises sharply among voters aged over 55 years, where 60 per cent prioritise the issue, making it the most decisive factor for senior voters.