Kenya has been ranked the sixth most optimistic country in the world and the first in Africa, in the latest Edelman Trust Barometer report.
Even so, the report revealed that only 53 per cent of the Kenyan population believed the next generation would be better off compared to today, signalling growing uncertainty about the country’s future.
The report ranked Saudi Arabia as the most optimistic country globally (69 per cent), tied with China. The two countries were closely followed by India (66 per cent) and Indonesia (65 per cent). Closing out the top five was the United Arab Emirates, where 60 per cent of the population have hope for a better future.
Conversely, Kenya ranks higher than the global average, where only 36 per cent of the world’s population have hope for a better future. Furthermore, the report revealed that in most developed countries, fewer than 1 in 5 people believe the next generation will be better off.
However, the high optimism ranking is in stark contrast to the findings in other areas of study in the report that all point to a downward trend.
For instance, the data reflected a deep sense of grievance against key institutions. Eighty per cent of Kenyans worry that government leaders intentionally mislead the public, either by spreading falsehoods or making exaggerated claims.
This has coincided with an increased appetite for news and information, with the public becoming more attentive to politicians' statements and keeping ‘receipts’ to hold leaders accountable for any discrepancies between their words and actions.
However, in a significant twist, the report highlighted a growing fear—rising significantly since 2021—that journalists intentionally mislead the public. According to Edelman, 56 per cent of Kenyans reported that it is increasingly difficult to distinguish credible news from misinformation, raising concerns about the media's role in shaping informed discussions.
Furthermore, 60 per cent of Kenyans believe that news organisations prioritise attracting large audiences over-delivering essential information, while 54 per cent feel that media outlets care more about promoting a particular ideology than informing the public.
The mixed opinions on media credibility, combined with decreasing trust in government leaders, have led Kenyans to take matters into their own hands. According to the report, 1 in 2 Kenyans see hostile activism as a viable means of driving change.
This was particularly evident during the June–August Gen Z demonstrations, which saw Kenyans take to the streets to protest government inefficiencies.
Among those who support hostile activism, 33 per cent believe that attacking individuals online is an effective way to push for change. Meanwhile, 24 per cent think intentionally spreading disinformation is a viable advocacy method. Those who believe that threatening or committing violence is justified stand at 21 per cent, while 20 per cent support damaging public or private property to ensure their demands are recognised.
Overall, 46 per cent of Kenyans consider hostile activism a legitimate means of achieving change, with the majority falling within the 18–34 age group.
The research was conducted by the Edelman Trust Institute through 30-minute online interviews between October 25 and November 16, 2024. The survey included more than 33,000 respondents across 28 countries.
It examines key societal indicators of trust in business, media, government, and NGOs, shaping conversations and setting the agenda for the year ahead.
