The death of ODM leader Raila Odinga and the Gen Z-led protests emerged as the most significant events that shaped Kenyans’ perception of 2025, according to the latest Infotrak End of Year Poll.

The survey shows that 30 per cent of respondents cited Raila’s death as the single most significant trend that influenced how they assessed the year, making it the most mentioned occurrence nationally.

This was followed by Gen Z protests at 12 per cent, reflecting the prominence of the historical youth-led demonstrations, which started in 2024 and are still a part of the national discourse this year.

Economic pressures also featured prominently, with 11 per cent of respondents citing the high cost of living as the most significant issue in 2025, while 8 per cent pointed to politics and governance.

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Security concerns remained present, as 6 per cent of respondents mentioned abductions and killings, while another 6 per cent cited financial hardship as the defining issue of the year.

Employment-related challenges followed, with 5 per cent identifying employment issues, while personal and family matters accounted for another 5 per cent.

Issues of peace and stability stood at 4 per cent, while business challenges accounted for 3 per cent of responses. Affordable housing and agriculture interventions, including free fertiliser, were each mentioned by 3 per cent.

Lower on the list were crime and insecurity at 2 per cent, the death of other leaders at 1 per cent, and health policy changes such as SHA and SHIF at 1 per cent. Taxation was the least cited issue, at 0.4 per cent.

The poll was conducted between December 19 and 20, 2025, using Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews, with a sample size of 1,000 respondents drawn from all 47 counties. 

The findings place political developments, youth activism and economic pressure at the centre of how Kenyans reflect on 2025, underscoring the issues that dominated public attention throughout the year.