81% of Nairobi Residents Say Rising Cost of Living Is Their Biggest Concern

A Tifa Research survey shows that many Nairobi residents are struggling with the rising cost of living. Eighty-one percent of respondents said that the growing expense of maintaining their families tops their list of concerns.

The survey also found that the financial pressure affects a wide range of demographic groups. Sixty-two percent of respondents pointed to higher costs for transport, fuel, food, and education as major drivers of household strain.

Concern about the cost of living ran especially high among older residents. Ninety-one percent of Nairobians aged 35 and above identified it as a major challenge.

Overall, the findings suggest that households face mounting pressure on their budgets as incomes remain constrained and prices for essential goods and services continue to rise.

“Any additional costs are likely to deepen financial hardship and reduce consumer spending,” the survey said.

Among respondents aged 18 to 34, the survey reported that 74 percent cited the rising cost of living as their biggest concern.

The survey indicates that women experience greater pressure from economic hardships. Eighty-four per cent of female respondents cited the issue, compared with 78 per cent of male respondents.

Tifa Research carried out the survey from July 17 to July 21, 2026, across Nairobi County. Trained interviewers conducted face-to-face interviews in Kiswahili and English.

In total, the study included 733 adults aged 18 and above. The results carry a margin of error of plus or minus 2.18 percent.

The survey asked respondents, “What is the biggest challenge currently facing you and your household?”

In response, economic opportunity and livelihoods emerged as the second-largest concern. Nineteen percent of respondents said low income, weak business performance, and unemployment pose the biggest challenges for their households.

Another 12 per cent cited high taxes as their main worry, while six per cent pointed to corruption, crime, and insecurity.

Two percent of respondents reported that they had no challenge, said they did not know which challenge affected their households most, or declined to respond.

The survey points to higher prices for key household goods and services between June 2025 and June 2026, showing how quickly the cost burden has built for consumers.

Among the selected food items, tomatoes recorded the largest jump. The price of a kilogramme rose by 41 percent, moving from Sh83.88 in June 2025 to Sh117.87 in June 2026.

Potatoes followed, with the price per kilogramme increasing by 23 per cent from Sh90.15 to Sh111.10 over the same period.

Sukuma wiki also became more expensive, rising by 27 percent from Sh90 per kilogramme to Sh114. Beef prices climbed by 10 percent, from Sh690 to Sh760 per kilogramme.

The survey also linked household strain to the rising cost of transport, driven by fuel price increases over the year. Diesel recorded the sharpest rise, climbing by 30 percent from Sh171.58 per litre in Nairobi in June 2025 to Sh222.86 in June 2026.

Petrol prices rose by 15 percent, increasing from Sh186.31 per litre in June 2025 to Sh214.03 in June 2026.

Overall, the findings portray a situation in which households face pressure on multiple fronts. Higher costs for basic commodities, transport, education, and other essential expenses continue to cut into disposable income.

For many families, the survey suggests, the main challenge does not stem from any single commodity. Instead, it comes from the combined impact of rising prices on day-to-day household maintenance.

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