Kenyans prepare for most expensive Christmas

Many people will stay at home on Sunday rather than take trips in what is turning out to be an expensive Christmas, according to a new survey.

Of those planning to celebrate Christmas, 59 per cent will stay at home with their families to save money.

Only five in every 100 people said they will take a vacation or visit friends, a confirmation that the hard economic times have taken a toll on many.

An Ipsos-Synovate survey explains that the hard economic times may have driven Kenyans into a stay-at-home Christmas.

Many cited lack of money for their decision.

Nearly three quarters (71 per cent) of those surveyed said the high cost of living was their biggest problem, nearly double those who felt so in April.

“Kenyans are cornered by the high cost of living,” Ipsos-Synovate managing director Maggie Ireri said.

Even if most people plan to stay indoors for lack of money, most will still end up spending more than they did last year, according to the survey.

The study that polled 1,432 people, said 60 per cent of those who said they would celebrate the day, reported they will spend more than they did last year.

Only 16 in every 100 people said they will spend less than they did last year.

Some two per cent said they were spending nothing for Christmas this year.

“In all these cases, those saying they will spend more, less or nothing are simply indicating that the high cost of living has taken its toll on their lifestyle and affected their spending over the festive season,” the report states.

Predominantly Christian

The data was collected between December 12 and 19.

Despite the fact that the country is predominantly Christian, only one per cent of those surveyed indicated they will go to church on Christmas Day.

Twenty in every 100 said they will do nothing during Christmas.

“For those saying ‘nothing’, it is probably an indication that the whole excitement of Christmas has not caught up with a significant number of Kenyans,” Ms Ireri said.

It could also be attributed to the hard economic times where inflation has hit 19.72 per cent, she added.

“You can only expect cautious spending from Kenyans who do not want to spend much.”

According to the study, some Kenyans are worried that after Christmas, they will be faced with bills and school fees which will worsen their plight.

Eastern province has the highest proportion of residents who will celebrate at home with family at 74 per cent.

It is followed by Western where 66 in 100 said they will spend Christmas at home.

Nairobi and Coast were slightly lower at 44 and 43 per cent respectively.

The highest proportion of those who will be working during the day are in Nairobi followed by Central province.

North Eastern and Coast reported the highest proportion of people who said they will not celebrate Christmas at all.

The two regions have many Muslims.