This archive report was first published on 20 May 2020.
Published on May 20, 2020, a recent survey by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics paints a dire picture of the impact of Covid-19 on the labour market in Kenya.
According to the survey, nearly half of Kenyans have lost their jobs since March, when the country recorded its first Covid-19 case. The majority of these workers, mostly in the informal sector, have been locked out of any meaningful economic activity.
Kenya's National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani revealed the findings during the launch of the Report on Socio-Economic Impact of Covid-19 on Households. The survey was conducted between May 2 and May 9.
"Expectedly, a number of business owners have introduced several cost-cutting measures aimed at ensuring that their businesses remain afloat," Mr Yatani said. "The enterprises have had to delay investments, purchases of goods and hiring of workers, while others have resorted to salary cuts for their employees, temporary layoffs and in some cases total closure," he added.
The survey also showed that women have been most affected by the jobs downturn, with about 65.3 per cent of the male respondents reporting they were in the labour force, compared to more than half (51.2 per cent) of the females who were outside the labour force.
Furthermore, the report revealed that income stoppage has curtailed the financial ability of households to cater for their health, transport and housing needs. On average, the cost of transport rose by 51.7 per cent, with Migori County recording the highest jump.
"Reduced income/earnings was cited by majority (52.9 per cent) of the households as the main reason for their inability to pay rent. Only a small proportion (8.7 per cent) of households received waiver/relief from their landlords for the same month," Mr Yatani said.
