The latest Edelman Trust Barometer ranks Kenya as the sixth most optimistic country overall and the top in Africa. Despite this, only 53% of Kenyans believe future generations will fare better, revealing significant concerns about governmental trust and media credibility. The rise of hostile activism, particularly among youth, demonstrates a shift in attitudes towards enacting change in the face of disillusionment.
According to the latest Edelman Trust Barometer report, Kenya ranks as the sixth most optimistic country worldwide and the most optimistic in Africa. While 53% of Kenyans believe future generations will be better off, this reflects a growing uncertainty about the nation’s prospects, contrasting sharply with the positive ranking.
Saudi Arabia and China hold the title of the most optimistic countries globally at 69%, followed by India (66%) and Indonesia (65%). The United Arab Emirates rounds out the top five with 60%, while the global average is only 36%, indicating a broad lack of hope in developed countries.
Despite Kenya’s high optimism ranking, other findings reveal significant concerns. A staggering 80% of Kenyans worry that their government leaders misrepresent facts to the public. This distrust has increased a critical perspective on news, with many citizens seeking to verify politicians’ claims more rigorously.
Concerns about media integrity have also risen, with 56% of Kenyans believing it is harder to distinguish fact from misinformation. Moreover, 60% of respondents think news organizations prioritize audience size over providing essential information, while 54% feel certain media outlets are ideologically biased.
The combination of declining trust in government and media has led to a rise in what is termed “hostile activism.” Approximately half of Kenyans consider this a legitimate method for enacting change, as demonstrated by the Gen Z-led protests against government inefficiency.
Support for hostile activism varies, with 33% endorsing online attacks for effecting change and 24% viewing misinformation as a tactic. Additionally, 21% find violence justifiable, while 20% support damaging property to assert their demands. The findings indicate that 46% of young Kenyans, aged 18-34, validate these forms of activism.
The Edelman research involved comprehensive online interviews with over 33,000 participants across 28 nations from October 25 to November 16, 2024, examining societal trust levels in multiple sectors, thus influencing global conversations for the coming year.
In summary, while Kenya holds a prominent position in global optimism rankings, the contrasting concerns over government trust and media credibility reveal a complex social landscape. The rise of “hostile activism” reflects growing frustration among the youth, as citizens increasingly seek accountability from their leaders and the media. Overall, the findings suggest that while hope exists, significant challenges remain for the nation’s social cohesion and trust in institutions.
Original Source: www.kenyans.co.ke
