Only around one in 10 Kenyan households earns more than Ksh50,000 per month, a new survey by TIFA Research has shown, underscoring the financial strain facing families amid continued cost-of-living challenges.
The June 2026 TIFA survey established that just 11 per cent of households reported a combined monthly income above Ksh50,000. This means approximately 89 per cent of households survive on Ksh50,000 or less every month.
A large proportion of families fell within the lower income categories, with many households reporting monthly earnings of below Ksh30,000, while another considerable group earned less than Ksh10,000 per month.
According to the survey, household income patterns have remained largely unchanged across recent polling rounds. The findings suggest that earnings for many Kenyan families have remained stagnant despite shifts in the wider economy.
The income situation was further reflected in the country's employment figures, with only about 58 per cent of Kenyan adults saying they were engaged in some form of work.
The category included people in full-time jobs, part-time and casual employment, self-employment, businesses and farming.
For a household earning between Ksh20,000 and Ksh30,000 a month, the income translates to roughly Ksh700 to Ksh1,000 per day when spread over 30 days. Those earning below Ksh10,000 have less than approximately Ksh350 available per day using the same calculation.
The survey also revealed a strong perception that economic conditions have deteriorated in recent years. About 65 per cent of respondents said their personal or household financial situation had worsened since the 2022 General Election.
Only 12 per cent reported an improvement in their economic circumstances during the same period.
The sense of economic decline was particularly pronounced in some regions. In Mt Kenya, 79 per cent of respondents said they were worse off, while 74 per cent of those in Western Kenya reported a similar experience.
The cost of living also remained a major concern among respondents. Unemployment and poverty accounted for 44 per cent of mentions when Kenyans were asked to identify the country's most serious problem.
Inflation and high prices were cited by a further 25 per cent of respondents.
Taken together, the two economic concerns accounted for 69 per cent of all mentions, highlighting the central role played by employment, household earnings and the rising cost of basic commodities in shaping Kenyans' views of the economy.
The findings point to a gap between broader economic growth and the financial experiences of individual households, suggesting that improvements in national economic indicators have not necessarily translated into higher incomes or better living standards for many families.
TIFA conducted the survey between June 13 and 22, 2026, interviewing 2,048 adults aged 18 and above across all 47 counties through face-to-face interviews.
