When the Cost of Living Meets Politics: Why Ordinary Kenyans Feel the Pressure from Every Direction
NAIROBI:Every trip to the supermarket has become a budgeting exercise for many Kenyan families. Consumers are comparing prices more carefully, checking product weights and leaving behind items that once formed part of their regular shopping.
"It is not just that things are expensive," says Mary Wanjiku, a mother of three in Nairobi. "The packets are smaller, but the price is almost the same. You only realise it when you get home."
Her experience reflects the reality facing millions of Kenyans. While headlines this week have focused on the rising cost of living, the higher education funding crisis, teachers' salary adjustments and violence during the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, these stories are deeply connected. Together, they paint a picture of a nation where economic hardship and political uncertainty are placing increasing pressure on ordinary citizens.
The Cost of Living Still Bites
Although inflation has eased compared to previous years, many households say life has not become any cheaper. Instead, consumers are increasingly complaining about shrinkflation , where products become smaller while prices remain the same or even increase.
Families continue to grapple with high food prices, transport costs, rent and electricity bills. As a result, many are cutting back on non-essential spending, delaying medical care and reducing the amount of food they purchase each month.
For many households, budgeting is no longer about saving money,it's about making ends meet.
Teachers Welcome Salary Increases
Amid the economic strain, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has begun implementing salary adjustments under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
While teachers have welcomed the increase, many say the gains are quickly absorbed by the rising cost of everyday living.
"When transport, fuel and food keep going up, the salary increase doesn't go as far as people think," says a secondary school teacher in Kisumu.
The situation also highlights a wider concern. While some public servants benefit from negotiated salary reviews, millions of Kenyans working in the informal sector continue to experience stagnant incomes despite rising living costs.
Parents and Students Face Education Uncertainty
The ongoing debate over higher education funding has added another layer of concern for Kenyan families.
Members of Parliament continue searching for solutions to challenges affecting university financing and student placements. For many parents already struggling with household expenses, the uncertainty has made planning for higher education even more difficult.
Young people are also questioning whether the rising cost of education is matched by employment opportunities after graduation, as youth unemployment remains a persistent challenge.
Ol Kalou Violence Raises Fresh Concerns
Away from economic issues, the recent Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election reminded Kenyans that political tensions remain a concern.
The election was marred by violence after armed individuals reportedly stormed tallying centres, leading to two deaths and prompting investigations. Political leaders have traded blame while election observers continue raising concerns over the conduct of the poll.
For many Kenyans, such incidents raise questions about the country's democratic processes and whether political competition continues to distract leaders from addressing pressing economic issues.
One Story, One Mwananchi
While these developments may appear unrelated, they all affect the same person, the ordinary Kenyan.
The parent struggling with grocery prices is also worrying about university fees.
The teacher receiving a salary adjustment is still paying more for transport and household necessities.
The young graduate uncertain about education funding is also watching political developments with concern about the country's future.
Increasingly, Kenyans are calling for solutions that go beyond addressing one issue at a time. They want affordable living, accessible education, stable employment and peaceful politics.
Because for the common mwananchi, these are not separate national conversations, they are different chapters of the same story.
As Kenya navigates these challenges, one question continues to echo across homes, workplaces and social media platforms:
Can the country ease the burden on ordinary citizens before economic frustration and political uncertainty become even harder to separate