Kenyans have to dig deeper into their pockets for

tinan419

Christmas excitement is palpable across Kenya as plans on how to celebrate the day for many people reach a climax.
In Nairobi, the capital, Christmas preparations for many residents are in top gear as people do last minute shopping in readiness for celebrations.
A visit at many supermarkets across the city confirms that traders are doing a booming business as they cash in on eager shoppers.
At several branches of Nakumatt Wedding dresses, a leading retail outlet in Kenya, long queues in the past three days have become the norm.
"I came to shop for my family so that we can celebrate Christmas," says Peter Odhiambo, a shopper at one of the supermarket's branches.
"I could not come for shopping earlier since I had not received my salary. I got I yesterday," he adds.
Top on Odhiambo's shopping list are clothing and food items. "I set aside 250 U.S. dollars for the shopping. More than half of the money goes to clothes and the rest on food items," he explains.
However, the father of three children who was accompanied by his wife and children complains that prices of goods have been hiked.
"I do not know why it always happens during Christmas. Prices of most goods have been increased. For instance, most food items have been hiked by between 0.25 U.S. cents and 1.25 dollars," he observes.
Similarly, Odhiambo says prices of clothes too have doubled. "I wanted to buy a shirt for myself knowing that it costs 12.5 dollars since I had window-shopped the previous week. But today I find the same shirt is costing 20 dollars. I have decided I will not buy it," he says.
Like Odhiambo Tiffany, 45-year-old John Murithi has also resolved to do away with non-essential items he wanted to buy because of price hikes.
"I have agreed with my wife to purchase only basic things so that we do not overspend. We will only buy foodstuffs because they are what we cannot do without," he says.
This move however does not guarantee the father of two from saving costs. A spot check at various markets in Nairobi show food prices have hit the roof-top consequently locking out many low- income earners.
At Wakulima market, one of the biggest grocery markets in Nairobi, a crate of tomatoes is sold at 87 dollars, up from 43 dollars the previous month.
On the other hand, a two-kilo packet of maize meal, Kenya's staple food costs about 1.12 dollars. Equally, a kilo of rice, another favorite staple for Kenyans now costs averagely 1.25 dollars.
The sharp increase in food prices has been blamed on the global
financial crisis, whose effects are still being felt in Kenya's economy and high fuel prices.
The later saw Kenya's government step-in a week ago by introducing price controls to cushion Kenyans from exploitation.
"Many food items are beyond our reach this Christmas," says Isaac Kinyua, a resident of Korogocho Tiffany, a shanty district in Nairobi.
The father of four says he had planned to treat his family this festive season but it seems this will remain a dream.
"During Christmas, I always want my children to eat foods that we do not eat often but this time I cannot manage unless I plunge into debts," says Kinyua.
Generally, Kinyua observes that life has become difficult for the urban poor in Kenya, many who struggle to make ends meet.
"It is not only during Christmas that we are finding it hard to break even. Prices of food stuffs have been on the increase rendering our lives unbearable," he observes.
Kinyua however is still hopeful that he will manage to celebrate with his family.
"I have set aside 13 dollars which I will use to buy a little food and drinks for my family," he says.
His dilemma is shared among other dwellers of the informal settlement and low-income earners in Nairobi.
A recent survey by researchers from Egerton University, a higher learning institution in Kenya revealed that most families in the country struggle to fend for themselves.
"Most households are spending about 50 percent and an increasing proportion of their income on food. The proportion of household budget spent on food by households in the lowest income group increased by 24 percent in 2009," observed the survey.
The researchers isolated Nairobi as the area where most people are affected. "The monthly per capita expenditure on food items for families in Nairobi increased by 80 percent," said the study released in November.
And as maybe expected, majority of those affected are the poor, who according to the research spend the greatest proportion of their income, some up to 70 percent on food.
As Kenyan's join the rest of the world in celebrations during this festive period, it seems for many people the passing of the holiday will be a great relief.

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