By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Kenya, 30 December 2025 - A new Infotrak survey paints a sobering picture of daily life for many Kenyan households, showing that rising unemployment and soaring food prices are no longer just economic concerns but forces reshaping health, family life and future prospects.
According to the study released on Tuesday, unemployment remains the single biggest financial burden for Kenyan families, cited by 26% of respondents.
Close behind are the high cost of food at 25% and school fees at 17%, underscoring how basic needs continue to stretch household budgets to breaking point.
Lower wages, medical expenses, rent and mounting debt add to the pressure.
Beyond the numbers, the findings reveal how financial stress changes with age. Nearly half of young people aged 18 to 26 said lack of employment was their main struggle, reflecting the difficulty many face when trying to enter a tight labour market. For Kenyans aged 55 and above, school fees emerged as the top concern, highlighting how older generations often continue to support education for children and grandchildren despite limited income.
Infotrak described this pattern as a “life-cycle” of economic strain, where jobless youth depend on older relatives, while those relatives shoulder education costs, slowing wealth creation and reinforcing dependency across generations.
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The burden is not evenly spread across the country. In the Coast region, unemployment and food prices were tied as the leading challenges, each affecting 30 per cent of households. In North Eastern Kenya, however, food prices dominated concerns, cited by 43 per cent of respondents, far outweighing unemployment. Central and Rift Valley regions also ranked joblessness as their main worry, followed closely by education expenses.
The economic squeeze is also taking a visible toll on well-being. Half of those surveyed reported higher stress and anxiety levels, while one in four said their mental health had deteriorated. Physical health problems were reported by 22 per cent, and 17 per cent said money troubles had strained personal relationships.
Infotrak warned that economic hardship is increasingly a public health issue, noting that chronic financial stress can trigger biological responses that harm health, destabilise families and reduce productivity nationwide.
To cope, households are improvising. Many are seeking additional income, cutting back on non-essential spending, or borrowing from friends and relatives. Younger adults are more likely to pursue side jobs or lean on family support, while older respondents are less able to do so.
Conducted between December 19 and 20, the nationwide survey involved 1,000 adults across all 47 counties. Infotrak says the findings highlight a country under strain, where economic pressures are shaping not just wallets, but lives.
