This archive report was first published on 2 July 2020.
Published on July 2, 2020, a study by Tifa Research has shed light on the devastating impact of the coronavirus on Nairobi's low-income residents.
According to the study, 69% of respondents in low-income areas have recorded reduced earnings since the first case of Covid-19 was recorded in the country four months ago.
Furthermore, 43% of respondents have lost their source of income completely, with job losses in the past three months accounting for the majority of this rate.
“Regardless of the respondents’ employment status, the virus has affected them a great deal, although those now jobless and who have never been employed have been affected somewhat less so,” the report noted.
The study, which interviewed 597 respondents living in Huruma, Kibra, Mathare, Korogocho, Mukuru kwa Njenga, and Kawangware, found that there are no significant differences in the economic impact on males and females.
However, more self-employed people reported an increase in work compared to the previous study, with 24% of respondents stating that they were still doing some work in June, up from 13% in May.
Respondents also reported a drastic decline in their expenses on items such as food, rent, and clothing, with 94% of respondents saying they have reduced their spending on food and non-alcoholic drinks.
Spending on rent has dropped by 20% in June compared to May, while expenditure on clothing and socializing has reduced to 18% from 22% and 10% from 9%, respectively.
