A TIFA survey has revealed that a staggering 87% of Kenyans are tightening their belts due to soaring living costs, with food taking the hardest hit, as 84% report reduced spending in this category.
The economic struggles depicted in the findings shed light on the performance of President Ruto’s administration, with a mere 2.3 out of 5.0 in protecting forests being the only bright spot in a landscape of discontent.
Despite promises to bolster the economy, 84% of respondents believe that under President Ruto’s leadership, the current economic conditions are worse than they were a year ago.
The survey’s evaluation of the president’s performance reveals mixed results, with only a few areas surpassing a score of 2.0 on the 5.0 scale. Notably, the government earned commendation in supporting agriculture (2.3), combatting pollution and contamination (2.2), and encouraging tourism and investment in tourism (2.1). However, critical areas such as reducing debt/donor financial dependence (1.8), reducing corruption (1.6), creating jobs (1.6), and, notably, reducing the cost of living (1.4) received significantly lower scores.
The survey exposes a stark contrast in perceptions between government supporters and the opposition. While President Ruto’s backers tend to view his performance more favorably, opposition supporters overwhelmingly criticize his economic management.
This divide is especially evident in opinions about the government’s performance in reducing the cost of living. Only 13% of pro-government respondents express satisfaction, compared to 97% of pro-opposition respondents who vehemently disagree.
These findings raise crucial questions about the government’s capacity to address citizens’ economic concerns. As the majority of Kenyans grapple with financial challenges, President Ruto must take decisive action to bolster the economy and alleviate the cost of living to maintain public support.
