A recent survey has revealed that trust in Kenya is becoming increasingly divided along income and social lines. The 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer found that higher-income citizens have more confidence in institutions, with a trust index of 73, compared to 66 among lower-income groups. This seven-point gap suggests that economic status is a significant factor in determining trust levels. The report also found that 66 per cent of Kenyans are hesitant or unwilling to trust people outside their social circles.
The trust divide extends beyond confidence in government, business, media, and civil society to how Kenyans experience institutions and relate to one another. The Afrobarometer's April-May 2024 Kenya survey found that 70 per cent of Kenyans trusted religious leaders, while 67 per cent expressed similar confidence in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF). However, trust was lower for Parliament at 44 per cent, the police at 36 per cent, and the electoral commission at 36 per cent. These findings point to a complex and varied landscape of trust in Kenya.
The courts present another divide between confidence in an institution and people's ability to use it. Afrobarometer research published in 2026 found that 55 per cent of Kenyans believed ordinary citizens could obtain justice through the courts. However, only 47 per cent believed they could afford to take a legal problem to court, and 41 per cent believed they were likely to receive a timely resolution. This highlights the challenges faced by citizens in accessing justice.
The trust problem also extends beyond institutions to interpersonal relationships. Edelman's finding that 66 per cent of Kenyans are hesitant or unwilling to trust people who are different from them points to growing caution towards people outside familiar social, economic, and political circles. This trend could make it harder for communities to cooperate across differences in a country marked by varied economic circumstances, political views, and social backgrounds.
The media faces a similar challenge in establishing trust. Afrobarometer found that 77 per cent of Kenyans believe journalists should continuously investigate and report on government mistakes and corruption, while 72 per cent support media freedom. However, confidence in the information environment remains under pressure, with 56 per cent of Kenyans believing it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish credible journalism from misinformation.
The changing information environment adds another layer to the challenge, as younger and more connected populations encounter political, commercial, and social information from an expanding range of sources. Artificial intelligence is also making it easier to create and distribute convincing false information. This highlights the need for institutions to adapt to the changing information landscape and establish credibility among groups with different experiences.
Kenya's trust challenge also reflects a wider African trend. Across 39 African countries surveyed by Afrobarometer, only three of 11 institutions and categories of leaders commanded majority trust on average: religious leaders, the military, and traditional leaders. To address the trust challenge, institutions need to show they deliver what they promise, explain decisions, acknowledge mistakes, and apply rules fairly, especially when citizens experience services differently due to their economic circumstances.
Key points
- The trust index among higher-income Kenyans stands at 73, compared to 66 among lower-income groups.
- 66 per cent of Kenyans are hesitant or unwilling to trust people outside their social circles.
- The media faces challenges in establishing trust, with 56 per cent of Kenyans believing it is difficult to distinguish credible journalism from misinformation.
