This archive report was first published on 3 July 2020.
Published on July 3, 2020, a study by Tifa Research has shed light on the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Nairobi residents.
According to the study, 69 percent of residents in low-income areas have recorded reduced earnings due to the pandemic, while 43 percent have lost their source of income completely.
The study, which interviewed 597 respondents living in Huruma, Kibra, Mathare, Korogocho, Mukuru kwa Njenga, and Kawangware between June 2 and June 15, found that 54 percent of respondents reported being currently unemployed.
Job losses in the past three months accounted for the majority of this rate, with 32 percent of male respondents and 29 percent of female respondents reporting that they have lost their source of income due to Covid-19.
However, the study noted that more self-employed people reported increased work compared to the previous study, with 24 percent of respondents stating that they were still doing some work in June, up from 13 percent in May.
Respondents also reported a drastic decline in their expenses on items such as food, rent, and clothing, with 94 percent of respondents saying they have reduced their spending on food and non-alcoholic drinks, up from 66 percent in the previous report.
"Far more of the 61 percent who reported reduced earnings due to Covid-19 reported a decrease in their expenditure on food and drinks than any other type of purchases or payments," the report said.
The study also found that more respondents faced hunger, with 42 percent saying the persistence of the pandemic could be a challenge, followed by loss of income and employment at 28 percent and paying rent at 9 percent.
