Majority of Kenyans believe that the rich are not contributing a fair share of their income to taxes, a new survey shows.
The 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer: Kenya Report identified economic inequality as a pressing concern, with 61 per cent of Kenyans feeling that the wealthy are not proportionately taxed.
Edelman managing director for Kenya, Corazon Sefu, says the perception has fuelled frustration and a shift towards alternative means of seeking accountability.
“The data reflects a deep feeling of grievance against key institutions. 80 per cent of Kenyans worry that government leaders intentionally mislead the public, either by spreading falsehoods or making exaggerated claims,” said Sefu.
“This is alongside a surge in fears— rising significantly since 2021—that journalists and business leaders also intentionally mislead the public.”
The report further revealed a significant decline in public trust in government institutions, with only 38 per cent of Kenyans expressing confidence in their leaders. This marks a four-point drop from the previous year and signals growing public dissatisfaction with governance and economic disparities.
The report, which surveyed over 33,000 respondents across 28 countries, stresses the deep-seated grievances Kenyans hold toward key institutions.
Notably, nearly half of Kenyans (46 per cent) approve of hostile activism as a legitimate means of driving societal change. This category of activism includes online attacks, spreading misinformation, property damage, and even threats or acts of violence.
The figure is six percentage points higher than the global average, highlighting the intensifying public discontent in Kenya.
Despite these concerns, Kenyans remain among the most optimistic populations regarding the future. The report ranks Kenya among the top six most hopeful nations, surpassed only by the UAE, Indonesia, India, China, and Saudi Arabia.
However, uncertainty lingers, as
only 53 per cent believe the next
generation will be better off than the
present one.
