TIFA Research Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Maggie Ireri speaking during a past function in Nairobi.[Photo|Daily Nation]
A new survey conducted by TIFA Research has revealed that Kenyans experienced an unprecedented high cost of living as the major challenge caused by electioneering period and political unrest witnessed in 2017.According to TIFA Research, 81 percent of Kenyans felt economically oppressed in 2017.The year has been one of the most memorable years in the history of Kenya. 2017 had two presidential elections in a space of two months and both characterized by a chaotic aftermath that saw a number of Kenyans murdered by police bullets and communal assaults.Speaking in Nairobi yesterday (Wednesday) while releasing the findings of the survey conducted between 12th and 16th December 2017 through CATI (Computer Aided Telephonic Interviews), TIFA Research Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Maggie Ireri said that inflation rate has skyrocketed in the country.“In addition to unga, other basic commodities whose prices shot up include milk, sugar, dry beans, and potatoes. It is therefore not surprising that the cost of living was a key concern amongst Kenyans as most households were forced to dig deeper into their pockets in order to meet their basic needs” says Ireri.Political unrest notwithstanding, most Kenyans, especially, from North Eastern, Coast and Nyanza had the highest proportion of respondents mentioning that the cost of living worsened whilst Rift Valley had the lowest at 60% mentions.These concerns on the cost of living are in line with the reality as the inflation rate in Kenya rose from an average of 6.32% in 2016 to 7.95% in 2017 and this is evident from the increase in the prices of basic household goods. The average price of a 2KG packet of maize flour in April 2017 sold at an all-time high of KES153 and only reduced to KES 90 after the government subsidy.The high cost of living is consistently mentioned as the greatest challenge across all regions. The highest mentions of this challenge were in North Eastern (82%) followed by Nyanza (72%).Is there a newsworthy accident, incident or event happening in your county that you want Hivisasa to cover? Tell us what is happening by joining this group http://bit.ly/2Ce5FLj, and have it published.