Majority of Kenyans Ready to Vote in 2027 Despite Discontent Over Country’s Direction
Research 8020 Research Director Anthony Ndirangu presents the firm’s September–October 2025 National Opinion Poll in Nairobi on 31st October 2025
Despite widespread dissatisfaction with the country’s direction, nine out of ten Kenyans say they will cast their ballots in the 2027 General Election according to a new national opinion poll by Research 8020 Limited.
The survey conducted between September 25 and October 16, 2025 shows a deeply frustrated but politically engaged electorate determined to shape Kenya’s future through the ballot box. Research 8020 Research Director Mr. Anthony Ndirangu said the study sought to gauge citizens’ attitudes on leadership, governance and civic participation. The poll interviewed 3,430 respondents aged 18 years and above from all 47 counties using Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews and had a margin of error of ±1.67 percent at a 95 percent confidence level.
Mr. Ndirangu said public opinion polls are important because they help measure people’s sentiments and provide feedback that can shape government policy and business decisions. He noted that the latest findings reflect a country that may be disappointed by current events but still believes in democracy. “Even though Kenyans are unhappy with the country’s direction, their willingness to vote shows faith in democracy as the path to change,” he said during the release of the report in Nairobi.
According to the poll, 61 percent of Kenyans believe the country is headed in the wrong direction while only 19 percent say it is moving in the right one. Another 20 percent are undecided. The results indicate that Kenyans are generally unhappy with how things are going, linking their frustrations to the rising cost of living, unemployment and poor governance. Generational analysis revealed that pessimism cuts across all age groups. Among Gen Zs aged 15 to 29, 57 percent said Kenya is on the wrong track, 21 percent said it is on the right one and 22 percent were neutral. Millennials aged 30 to 44 were even more dissatisfied, with 64 percent saying the country is headed the wrong way. Among those above 45 years, 63 percent shared the same sentiment.
While most counties recorded negative sentiments, a few including Uasin Gishu, Wajir, Tana River, Mandera and Nandi expressed optimism saying the country was moving in the right direction. Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Machakos and Mandera were among the most dissatisfied, with more than 75 percent of respondents saying Kenya was on the wrong path.
The cost of living and unemployment emerged as the two biggest national concerns, followed by poor healthcare and corruption. Forty-seven percent cited poor healthcare as a problem, 40 percent mentioned inadequate roads and infrastructure, 36 percent listed corruption and 32 percent mentioned high taxation. Twenty-seven percent pointed to weaknesses in the education system while insecurity and food scarcity were each cited by 24 percent.
Mr. Ndirangu said the poll results reveal deep frustration but also a resilient spirit among Kenyans who still want to make their voices count. “Rising living costs and joblessness are driving public frustration, but the positive takeaway is that citizens still want to influence leadership through the ballot,” he said.
The most notable finding of the survey is that 91 percent of Kenyans say they intend to vote in 2027, a figure significantly higher than the turnout in the 2022 General Election where about 60 percent of registered voters participated. Among Gen Zs, 92 percent said they plan to vote, Millennials recorded 93 percent and older voters 90 percent. Based on population projections, the researchers estimate that about 20 million Kenyans could turn up to vote in 2027, with 10.2 million expected to be Gen Zs, 5.6 million Millennials and 4.3 million older citizens. “The data indicates a new era of civic awakening. Young people are not just vocal online, they are ready to translate their voices into votes,” Mr. Ndirangu said.
On the question of presidential preference if elections were held today, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i led with 25 percent, followed closely by President William Ruto with 24 percent and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka with 21 percent. Other names mentioned included Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Chief Justice David Maraga and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, each polling between 6 and 9 percent, while 7 percent of respondents said they were undecided. Generationally, Babu Owino emerged as the most popular politician among Gen Zs, while Matiang’i led among Millennials and older voters. The poll also showed notable support for Martha Karua, Edwin Sifuna and Okiya Omtatah, indicating a shift toward new and younger political figures.
Mr. Ndirangu said the data underscores the growing influence of youth in Kenya’s political direction. “It is interesting that non-traditional figures like Babu Owino and Okiya Omtatah are gaining traction. It shows a generational appetite for fresh leadership,” he observed.
The study also sought Kenyans’ views on county leadership. Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata received the highest approval rating at 83 percent, followed by Homa Bay at 81 percent and Makueni at 78 percent. Counties such as Lamu, Mandera and Nairobi recorded the lowest approval ratings, with most residents indicating they would not re-elect their governors. Researchers noted that many second-term governors were less popular because they are ineligible for re-election and perceived as less accountable.
Mr. Ndirangu said the findings capture a nation that is discontent but still determined to participate in shaping its future. “Citizens are sending a powerful message,” he said. “They may be dissatisfied, but they are determined. The ballot remains their instrument of hope.”
As Kenya prepares for the 2027 General Election, the study suggests that while frustrations over the economy and governance remain high, faith in democratic participation is stronger than ever. With Gen Zs making up more than half of the adult population, their choices will likely define the next chapter of Kenya’s democracy, one built on frustration, hope and the determination to make their votes count.
