This archive report was first published on 23 December 2019.
As Christmas approaches, many Nairobi residents are choosing to stay in the city rather than travel to their rural homes. This decision is largely driven by the high fares associated with last-minute travel, as well as increased household expenses such as school fees, rent, and personal expenses.
According to a spot check by the Nyakundi Report in various parts of Nairobi, most city dwellers are opting to avoid the high costs associated with traveling during the Christmas rush. Instead, they are focusing on making a few more coins for January expenses.
Residents such as Vitalis Kiprotich, who lives in Pipeline in Embakasi, are choosing to prioritize their basic needs over traveling to their rural homes. 'It wouldn't be noble for me to pay the fare from Nairobi, which has nearly doubled, just to travel to Baringo yet I know very well that January is around the corner,' he said.
Life has been particularly challenging for low-income earners this year, with inflation averaging 5.14 percent in the 11 months to November compared to 4.6 percent in the same period last year. John Kimani, a resident of Fedha Estate, echoed this sentiment, stating that he opted not to travel to his rural home in Nakuru 'because of pending January burden.'
Mr. Kimani added that Christmas is like any other day and that he did not have to splurge a lot of money on a one-day fete and then suffer financially in subsequent months.
On December 22, 2019, travellers were seen at the Machakos bus terminus in Nairobi. PHOTO | DENNIS ONSONGO
