This archive report was first published on 19 May 2020.
Published on May 19, 2020, a survey by the Kenya Bureau of Statistics sheds light on the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Kenyan households.
According to the survey, 13.4% of Kenyans are out of work due to temporary layoffs or work reductions, a stark reminder of the pandemic's adverse effects on the economy.
Households are struggling to make ends meet, with 30.5% unable to pay their rent on time. The situation is dire, with 43% of participants outside the labor force for the past seven days.
Among those out of work, 49% were absent because of the lockout, leaving many uncertain about when they will return to work. In fact, 9 out of 10 Kenyans absent from work due to the lockout are not sure when to return.
Only 1.2% expect to go back to work within the month, while 3.9% think they will return to work within 3 months.
The pandemic has also led to a significant increase in travel costs, with a 51% hike in fares across the country. In some areas, such as Kitui and Migori, fares have increased by as much as 77%.
As a result, 32% of Kenyans walk to work, while 24% take matatus. The housing status of some Kenyans is now on the line, with 21% of those who usually pay rent on time unable to afford the rent for April.
Reduced income accounts for the main reason behind failure to pay rent, affecting 52.9% of Kenyans. Others attribute the failure to temporary loss of work, unemployment, and delay in income at 22%, 13.9%, and 9.1%, respectively.
Only 8.7% of households received waivers from their landlords, highlighting the need for more support to those affected by the pandemic.
