The year 2025 has seen Kenya experience its fair share of developments in the political, economic and technological front. With the countdown to 2026, Kenyans.co.ke takes a look at some predictions and key developments likely to dominate headlines and public discourse in the coming year.
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More electric vehicles
In 2025, Kenya’s electric vehicle industry experienced a revival, boosted by government incentives aimed at encouraging adoption and investment in sustainable transportation.
Despite early hurdles, the number of charging stations grew to over 200 in 2025, with further expansion expected in the coming year.
Therefore, you should expect to see more electric vehicles on Kenyan roads in 2026 and beyond.
2. Campaign Trails to Intensify Ahead of 2027
If you thought the campaigns were over the top in 2025, this is only set to increase in the coming year, especially as the countdown to the 2027 general elections kicks off. 2026 will almost certainly see heightened political activity, including coalition building, positioning by aspirants and grassroots mobilisation.
3. Continued Infrastructure agenda by Kenya Kwanza government
President William Ruto has built his reputation around development and transforming Kenya into a first-world country. With this in mind, you can expect the government to go even harder in the infrastructure front through the construction of roads, stadia and, of course, the Affordable Housing project.
4. Cracks and Realignments in Political Parties
Still on politics, it goes without saying that Kenyan politics is famously fluid. The infamous saying "There are no permanent enemies in politics" rang true in 2025 following some high-profile decamping and rebellions.
In 2026, political realignments are expected, with some UDA-aligned members potentially joining the opposition or going independent if sidelined, while certain opposition figures may move closer to the government ahead of elections.
5. AI Adoption and the Future of Work
At this point, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic theory as it is rapidly reshaping industries across the globe, and Kenya is no exception. In 2026, you can expect AI influence to grow further, with more sectors integrating automated systems and machine-learning tools.
Industries in telecommunications, agriculture and logistics are fast adopting AI, and they will likely be the most affected.
6. A Cabinet Reshuffle
During his tenure, President Ruto has developed a knack for conducting cabinet reshuffles, with one of the biggest shake-ups taking place in 2024 at the height of the anti-Finance Bill protests.
In 2026, we shouldn't be surprised if the President decides to shake up his cabinet either to reward loyalty or performance or address public concerns.
7. Revisions to the Finance Bill
In 2026, rising economic pressures, including the increasing cost of living, stagnant revenue growth, and growing public demand for essential services, may push the government to consider additional funding measures in 2026.
To address immediate fiscal gaps, there is a strong possibility of a supplementary budget, which would provide extra resources to meet urgent spending needs.
In addition to a supplementary budget, the government could introduce fresh provisions to the Finance Bill aimed at generating new revenue or adjusting existing tax structures.
