55% of Kenyans will not celebrate Christmas – Infotrak
Slightly over half of Kenyans are expected to skip Christmas celebrations this year, as economic pressures weigh heavily on households across the country.
According to data from Infotrak Research & Consulting published on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, it reveals that 55% of Kenyans will not be celebrating Christmas in 2025, citing rising costs, unemployment, and other socio-economic challenges as major factors.
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The survey shows that rising costs are at the heart of this trend, with 67% of respondents citing the high cost of living as a major barrier to festivities.
Unemployment is another key factor, affecting 33% of households who say a lack of income limits their ability to participate in celebrations.
Poor governance, mentioned by 27% of respondents, and education-related expenses, cited by 26%, further dampen optimism and spending during what is traditionally a period of joy.
When asked specifically why they would not celebrate the festive period as usual, Infotrak’s data highlights three key reasons.
A majority, 78%, said they simply could not afford to celebrate due to a lack of money.
Another 16% admitted having no interest in celebrating, while 11% said work commitments would prevent them from participating in festive activities.
National sentiment
The Infotrak survey also examined how Kenyans perceive the country’s direction, providing a broader context to the festive mood.
Around 42% of citizens believe Kenya is headed in the wrong direction, while only 21% feel the nation is on the right track.
This marks an improvement from September 2024, when 73% of Kenyans expressed a negative outlook, yet optimism remains limited as the ‘right direction’ sentiment has grown only slightly over the same period.
Regional variations are also apparent. North Eastern Kenya shows the highest level of optimism, with 42% of residents believing the country is moving in the right direction.
Central Kenya, by contrast, reports the highest dissatisfaction, with 65% feeling the nation is off course.
Gender dynamics also influence perception, with men showing slightly more optimism than women, and women being more likely to attend church during the festive season, reflecting differences in both civic and cultural engagement.
Among young adults aged 18 to 26, negative sentiment is lowest, but a notable 12% report uncertainty, suggesting political detachment or cautious observation.
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William Muthama
William Muthama is a digital journalist with a focus on entertainment, human interest, and current affairs. Share stories: [email protected]/ [email protected]
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