Majority of Kenyans Say Country Is Heading in the Wrong Direction – Survey

Most Kenyans believe the country is heading in the wrong direction, with dissatisfaction highest in the Mt Kenya region, according to a new national survey.

The findings are from a TIFA National Survey released on December 18, 2025, which shows growing public pessimism across the country, both over time and across regions.

The survey was conducted between November 10 and 17, 2025, and involved 2,053 randomly selected adults aged 18 and above from all 47 counties. Interviews were carried out at respondents’ homes.

According to the report, 68 per cent of Kenyans believe the country is on the wrong path. This is nearly four times higher than the 17 per cent who feel the country is moving in the right direction.

Regionally, residents of Mt Kenya recorded the highest level of dissatisfaction, with 83 per cent saying the country is heading in the wrong direction. This was followed by Lower Eastern at 76 per cent and the Coast region at 73 per cent.

The survey found relatively higher optimism in the Northern Rift and Central Rift regions, where 40 per cent and 32 per cent of residents, respectively, said the country is moving in the right direction. However, even in these regions, positive views remained below half.

The survey also showed that political alignment plays a role in how Kenyans view the country’s direction. Among respondents who support the BBG, 51 per cent said the country is on the wrong path. This figure rose sharply to 84 per cent among those who oppose the BBG.

“Far more of those who have no (or declined to express any) opinion about the BBG are also largely negative about Kenya’s direction, with more than five times as many holding a negative view as those with a positive one about this (60% vs. 11%),” the survey reads.