Wellness has become more than just a buzzword it is now central to how we measure quality of life. In a world where economic uncertainty, work demands, and lifestyle pressures are constant companions, understanding how people feel about their well-being is more important than ever.
To capture this picture, KenyaPolls conducted the 2025 Wellness Edition Survey, asking participants about their current well-being, the biggest factors affecting them, and the kind of support they would value most. The responses provide eye-opening insights into how Kenyans view wellness in today’s fast-changing environment.
How Are Kenyans Feeling About Their Wellness?
When asked to rate their overall well-being, the majority of participants (66.7%) described it as fair, while 33.3% rated it as good. Interestingly, no one rated their wellness as excellent or poor. This suggests that many Kenyans are managing but not thriving they are not in crisis, but they are also not living at their fullest potential.
The Biggest Challenges: Mental Health and Financial Pressure
The survey revealed that mental health and stress (33.3%) and financial pressure (33.3%) are the two leading factors affecting well-being. Work-life balance followed at 22.2%, while physical health stood at 11.1%. Surprisingly, family and relationships did not register as a major concern in this survey.
This highlights how wellness is increasingly defined by psychological resilience and financial stability, rather than just physical health. For many Kenyans, stress and financial strain weigh more heavily than traditional health or relational challenges.
What Support Do People Want?
When asked what type of wellness support they would find most valuable in 2025, more than half of respondents (55.6%) prioritized mental health awareness and counselling. This is a strong indication that mental health is becoming a mainstream wellness priority in Kenya.
Other key interests included fitness and nutrition programs (22.2%) and work/study-life balance initiatives (22.2%), both of which point to a growing awareness of the importance of preventive health and lifestyle balance. Notably, no one selected affordable healthcare access or community support groups, suggesting that people are looking beyond traditional healthcare solutions and toward more holistic approaches to wellness.
Gender and Regional Representation
Two-thirds of the respondents were female (66.7%), showing that women are more engaged in wellness conversations and more willing to participate in surveys on the subject. Geographically, the majority of responses came from Nyeri (44.4%) and Nairobi (22.2%), with additional representation from Kiambu, Laikipia, and Kajiado.
While this provides valuable insights, it also highlights the need for future surveys to expand their reach for a more nationally representative picture of wellness.
What Does This Mean for Kenya?
The KenyaPolls 2025 Wellness Edition survey paints a clear picture: wellness in Kenya today is not just about physical health. Instead, it is heavily shaped by mental well-being, financial stability, and the ability to balance work and personal life.
For policymakers, employers, educators, and community leaders, this means rethinking wellness strategies. It’s no longer enough to focus solely on healthcare—programs must also address mental health support, financial literacy, stress management, and lifestyle interventions. By prioritizing these areas, Kenya can foster a culture of wellness that empowers individuals to thrive, not just survive.
Lastly, wellness is not a luxury it’s a necessity. The voices from this survey remind us that when we take care of mental health, reduce financial strain, and promote balance, we create stronger individuals, stronger families, and a stronger nation. READ MORE