Trust Barometer
Public Grievances Signal Waning Trust In Institutional Leaders
By Corazon Sefu Wandimi
Trust is not an abstract concept; it is the foundation upon which stable economies, functional democracies, and cohesive communities are built. Institutions that fail to engage, communicate transparently, and act with integrity risk deepening the divide, allowing disillusionment to harden into disengagement- or worse, unrest. At a time when global trust is fragile, it is imperative that leaders across society- whether in government, business, or civil society- take meaningful steps to restore confidence.
According to the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer- an annual survey now in its 25th year, polling more than 33,000 respondents across 28 countries- public grievance in Kenya is at a critical level. Seven in ten Kenyans hold a moderate or higher sense of grievance, they believe that business and government serve narrow interests, that their actions actively harm ordinary people, and that the wealthy benefit while regular people struggle. Additionally, 61 % feel that the wealthy do not contribute their fair share in taxes, further reinforcing frustration with economic disparities.
At the same time, the proportion of Kenyans who believe institutional leaders deliberately mislead the public by spreading falsehoods or gross exaggerations has risen sharply. In 2025, 80 % say this about government leaders( up from 74 % in 2021), 74 % about business leaders( up from 67 %), and 71 % about journalists and reporters( up from 62 %).
When institutions can’ t be trusted to do what is right, grievances fester and outlooks darken. To dissipate grievance and increase optimism, leaders must prioritise and rebuild trust across their organisations and within local communities.
This is especially true for the business sector, which Kenyans have entrusted with the responsibility to lead. The Trust Barometer found that 64 % of Kenyans with low sense of grievance and 58 % with moderate or higher sense of grievance say they trust CEOs in general, while 68 % of employees across both grievance groups trust their own employer’ s CEO. Since 2020, business in the country has consistently been seen as both more competent and more ethical than government.
Kenyans believe that to ensure a better future, business has an obligation to provide good-paying jobs in their local communities, train and reskill employees to remain competitive, and nurture workplace civility to facilitate discussions on contentious issues. To navigate these expectations, business leaders must first understand where they hold obligations, act in the interests of their stakeholders, and advocate for their organisations in ways that reinforce trust rather than erode it.
Yet, businesses cannot do it alone. Restoring trust and addressing public grievance requires a collective effort between business, government, media, and NGOs. Together, these institutions must confront the root causes of disillusionment and work to foster an environment where trust, growth, and prosperity can take hold. This means investing in local communities, improving access to quality information, and equipping workers with the skills needed for a changing economy. More than anything, it means delivering results that benefit society fairly and
equitably.
The consequences of inaction are clear: when institutions fail to address public grievances, frustration does not fade- it escalates. In Kenya, nearly one in two( 46 %) see hostile activism as a viable means to drive change, a sentiment particularly strong among those aged 18 to 34. Those who saw hostile activism as a viable means to drive change approved of one or more of the following actions: attacking people online( 33 %), intentionally spreading disinformation( 24 %), threatening or committing violence( 21 %), and damaging public or private property( 20 %).
This underscores the urgency for institutions to engage more effectively with the public- not just to restore confidence, but to ensure that activism remains constructive rather than divisive.
Ultimately, 69 % believe that legitimate influence comes from leaders understanding people’ s needs and wants, rather than simply holding a formal position of power( 55 %). The public doesn’ t just want great initiatives, they want initiatives that address their needs. Institutions that actively listen, communicate transparently, and follow through on their commitments will be best placed to rebuild trust and foster meaningful progress. In a landscape where scepticism runs deep, leadership must be demonstrated through action- by understanding the economic realities of stakeholders, championing shared interests, and creating opportunities for optimism.
Corazon Sefu Wandimi is the Managing Director of Edelman Kenya. You can commune with her on this or related issues via email at: Corazon. Sefu @ edelman. com.
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