Infotrak Survey Flags Unemployment And High Cost Of Living As Top Household Pressures
News Updated: 01 January 2026 11:12 EAT
A new Infotrak end-of-year survey has identified unemployment and the rising cost of living as the biggest financial pressures facing Kenyan households, highlighting the deepening economic strain across the country. The findings point to widespread concern over limited job opportunities and persistently high prices of basic commodities.
According to the survey, unemployment emerged as the leading challenge, followed closely by the high cost of food and essential goods. Many households reported that stagnant incomes have failed to keep pace with inflation, leaving families struggling to meet day-to-day expenses despite efforts to cut costs.
The poll further shows that other financial burdens continue to weigh heavily on households, including school fees, low wages, healthcare expenses, rent and mounting debt. These combined pressures have reduced disposable income and increased vulnerability, particularly among low- and middle-income earners.
To cope with the ongoing economic stress, Kenyan households are increasingly adopting multiple survival strategies. The survey found that many families are seeking additional or alternative sources of income, cutting back on non-essential spending, borrowing from friends and relatives, or relying on loans and credit facilities.
The Infotrak findings underscore the scale of economic hardship facing households as the year ends, with analysts warning that without improved employment opportunities and relief from high living costs, financial pressure on families is likely to persist into the new year.
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FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD