Kenyans’ trust in the government has plummeted, while their approval of hostile activism as a means of driving change has surged. According to the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer: Kenya Report, this revealed public grievances and waning trust in the government.

Trust in the government has declined to 38%, a four-point drop from the previous year, while Kenyans’ approval of hostile activism to drive change rose to 46%. This is six points higher than the global average and aligns with broader concerns about governance, wealth inequality, fear of discrimination, and misinformation, which continue to shape public perception. Hostile activism includes online attacks, intentionally spreading misinformation, threatening or committing violence, and damaging property.   

The report reflects a deep grievance against key institutions, with 80% of Kenyans worrying that government leaders intentionally mislead the public by spreading falsehoods or making exaggerated claims. Its release coincided with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, party leaders of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), respectively, on resolving the country’s social, economic, and political challenges.    

Recently, Kenya has experienced political crises and conflicts that have hampered its potential for development and improving the livelihood of Kenyans.

The crises have often resulted in demonstrations by Kenyans demanding their rights, with the State often resulting in brutal suppression of such protestors, leading to loss of life as well as property.  

The country will not develop without reinforcing democratic governance and the rule of law. However, the delay in democratic governance is expressed through the skewed allocation of resources, ethnic intolerance, marginalisation, and corruption. Additionally, devolution, even though intended to strengthen democratic governance and development at the grassroots, is systematically being undermined and starved of funds.  

Kenya Kwanza–ODM pact

In a joint Kenya Kwanza-ODM framework agreement signed at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on March 7, President Ruto and Odinga agreed to work together to confront the country’s socio-economic and political challenges.

The two leaders pointed out that Kenya holds great potential. Still, its progress has been held back by the shackles of ethnicity and State policies that exclude parts of the country from national development.

“For Kenya to realise its full potential, we must discard old superficial rivalries and embrace a unifying vision,” they stated in the MoU, adding, “We acknowledge that divergent and even conflicting ideas are the revving engine of a vibrant democracy; they sharpen a better vision for our country.”

However, they said the agreement was not tantamount to forming a political union between their respective parties.

The MoU contains 10-point commitments and resolutions to pursue and achieve a more cohesive and prosperous country. They include implementing the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, promoting inclusivity in governance and national development, protecting and strengthening devolution, and addressing Kenya’s debt crisis.

Additionally, it endeavours to secure the country’s future, promote integrity in national leadership, eliminate wastage of public resources, win the war against corruption, safeguard the right to peaceful assembly, and uphold the rule of law and constitutionalism.

“It is not enough to merely identify systematic and cultural obstacles that have denied generations a fair chance to achieve their aspirations. More importantly, we must rise above the political differences and embrace a higher vision of the Kenya we all deserve,” said President Ruto.

Odinga said the MoU is meant to ease the country’s prevailing tensions, reconcile the population, and move Kenya forward by addressing critical issues facing Kenyans. “As leaders of the largest political parties in the country, we arrived at the understanding that in a time of significant challenges to our nation, it is not enough to merely grandstand or stand aside and criticise, easy as those may be,” he stated. 

Time will tell how impactful this new found alliance will be.