The World Bank predicts that rising
food, fuel, and transport costs, potentially driven by the Middle East
conflict, could push 1 to 2.4 million additional Kenyans below the poverty line
by the end of 2026.
It revised Kenya's 2026 economic
growth forecast down to 4.3% from 4.9%, citing higher energy and fertilizer
costs, weak revenue collection, rising debt payments, and pre-election
uncertainty.
The report notes that while 800,000 Kenyans enter the job market annually, only about 100,000 secure formal employment.