This archive report was first published on 10 July 2020.
Published on July 10, 2020, a survey by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) revealed the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Kenyans, with millions struggling to pay rent and buy food.
According to the survey, which was conducted between May 2 and 9, 2020, the fraction of individuals absent from work due to Covid-19-related challenges surged in May, with six out of every 10 families blaming the pandemic for their unemployment.
With reduced incomes, many Kenyans struggled to pay rent, transport, or even put food on the table. The survey found that 37 per cent of respondents were unable to pay rent, while 30.9 per cent had never struggled to pay rent before.
Even as things got tougher for tenants, landlords got meaner, with only 0.7 per cent of tenants receiving a rent waiver or relief for May compared to 8.7 per cent in April.
Another survey by the World Bank revealed that half of Kenyan households are struggling to put food on the table following the economic effects of Covid-19.
With the rising cost of transport, many Kenyans were forced to change their main means of transport, with six out of 10 opting to walk.
As a result of the financial constraints, Kenyans have resorted to various coping mechanisms to weather this financial storm, with 41.9 per cent of households cutting on financial spending on commodities they could do without.
