A groundswell of economic despair is souring the national mood, with a decisive 68% of Kenyans believing the country is headed in the wrong direction, a new TIFA Research poll released Thursday reveals. The disillusionment is sharpest in the populous Mt Kenya region, a politically crucial bloc, where an overwhelming 83% of residents expressed deep pessimism about the nation's trajectory.

The survey, conducted between November 10 and 17, 2025, paints a grim picture of the Kenyan household's battle for survival. It's not just a feeling; it's a lived reality. The core of this widespread dissatisfaction is the crushing weight of economic hardship, which has left many families struggling to put food on the table and secure their future.

Pockets Empty, Patience Thinning

The data shows a direct link between personal finances and national outlook. Across Kenya, 67% of people reported that their household economic situation has worsened since the last election. This figure climbs to a staggering 83% in Mt Kenya, where only a mere 8% of residents have seen any improvement in their financial standing.

"Kenyans overwhelmingly define the country's problems in economic terms," the TIFA report emphasized, noting that unemployment, poverty, and high prices far outweigh other concerns. This economic anxiety is the primary lens through which citizens are viewing the nation's leadership and future.

A National Crisis of Confidence

While the discontent is most pronounced in Central Kenya, it is a nationwide phenomenon. The poll provides a detailed regional breakdown of the pessimism:

• Mt Kenya: 83%
• Lower Eastern: 76%
• Coast: 73%
• Nairobi: 73%
• Nyanza: 69%

Even in the relatively less negative zones of Central Rift and Northern Kenya, optimism is scarce, with fewer than half holding positive views. This widespread sentiment signals a deep-seated national frustration that crosses traditional political and ethnic lines.

A Glimmer for the Broad-Based Government?

In a surprising twist, while Kenyans are unhappy with the country's direction, support for the Broad-Based Government (BBG) has doubled, climbing from 22% in May to 44% in November. Opposition to the arrangement has consequently fallen to 48%. Analysts suggest this may reflect a cautious public reassessment of the political pact between the government and the opposition.

However, support for the BBG is also tied to economic outcomes. Among those who feel their personal finances have improved, support for the coalition is significantly higher, TIFA noted. This suggests that for the government to win broader public trust, it must deliver tangible economic relief that Kenyans can feel in their wallets.

As the nation grapples with these harsh economic realities, the findings from this poll send a clear message: the ultimate measure of leadership, for a vast majority of Kenyans, is the ability to ease the daily financial burden. The path to national optimism, it appears, is paved with economic opportunity.