Kenyans had a rough time in 2018, with high cost of living and unemployment running roughshod on them.
In the Kenyans’ perceptions towards 2018 and their aspirations for 2019 #YearEndPoll survey by TIFA Research, 56 per cent of citizen living in the country admit it was a bad year. The cost of living was out of reach for many (56 per cent) while 14 per cent faced challenges in finding a job.
Other challenges faced include lack of access to credit (6 per cent), poverty (5 per cent), political tension (5 per cent), poor healthcare (3 per cent), lecturer’s strike (2 per cent) and doctor’s strike (2 per cent).
Surprisingly, only one per cent of Kenyans were bothered by corruption, underlying the emotional fatigue plaguing the masses due to the unending and dizzying heights of the vice in the country.
Nevertheless, 36 per cent said that 2018 was better than 2017, mainly due to improved political climate in Kenya. The 2017 election enabled 75 per cent of Kenyans to vote the year worse than in 2016, compared to 48 per cent who said that 2018 was worse than 2017.
Overall, economic conditions (56 per cent), unemployment (48 per cent) and the cost of living (67 per cent) worsened in 2018 compared to last year. On the other hand, political climate (51 per cent), education (45 per cent), public health (45 per cent) and security (50 per cent) was better than 2017.
“Economic conditions, employment prospects and the cost of living worsened in 2018. At least half of Kenyans felt that the political climate and security situation improved in 2018,” said the survey.
Also, Kenyans failed to achieve their 2018 goals. Only 28 per cent set up a business as they had hoped for, and only 11 per cent managed to get a job.
Three per cent surveyed last year said they wanted to buy a plot of land in 2018, but only a percentage achieved the dream. 10 per cent wished to build a house, only 3 per cent managed to actualise their desires.
Still, Kenyans are a hopeful lot. “In 2019, four out of ten Kenyans (44%) intend to set up a business. This is followed by getting a new job (32%) and achieving work life balance (24%),” says TIFA Research.
Others want to get married (10 per cent), hope to buy a car (10 per cent), pursue higher education (9 per cent), build a house (7 per cent), expand business (4 per cent) and buy a plot of land (4 per cent).
