With a 30-percent increase, over a period of seven years, 9 out of every 10 Kenyans describe the country’s economy as ‘fairly bad’ or ‘very bad’. This is according to a survey by Afro barometer a non-partisan, Pan-African research institution.
Despite the hard economic times being experienced in the country, at least 42 percent of the respondents were optimistic that things will get better over the next year.
These even as 74 percent of the 24,000 Kenyans interviewed saying that they feel that the country is headed in the ‘wrong direction’ regarding matters economy, with at least 47 percent of the people staying without money at any given time or at most times.
A majority of the respondents felt that the government was performing rather badly in managing the economy.
Kenyans want the government to address the ailing economy and ensure that their living standards have been improved.
The lack of job opportunities as well as the increased inflation has been an issue of concern to the majority of Kenyans.
Considering that Kenya is headed to an election period that is usually characterised by intense campaigns, the country is likely to record a decline in the economy, if the government does not put in measures that will cushion the economy.
The Afrobarometer is based at the Institute for Development Studies, the University of Nairobi. The survey was conducted from November to December 2021, and 2,400 persons were interviewed.
