Survey: Most Kenyans Cannot Afford Holiday Celebrations This Year

A survey conducted by Infotrak on December 20 highlights the growing economic challenges faced by many Kenyans this festive season.

The survey reveals that approximately 60 per cent of the population does not plan to celebrate Christmas and New Year festivities due to financial constraints. The study, which included a representative sample of 606 adult Kenyans across all 47 counties, found that an overwhelming 86 per cent of respondents cited lack of money as the primary reason for their decision not to celebrate. The financial strain is pervasive, impacting individuals across various demographics, including age, gender, and regional differences.

The poll underscores a troubling trend in rising living costs, which are significantly dampening festivities. In Nairobi, 100 per cent of respondents indicated financial difficulties, while 91 per cent in the North Eastern region reported similar challenges. The Rift Valley also reflected substantial economic hardships, with 83 per cent of respondents acknowledging financial constraints.

While economic factors dominate the responses, 10 per cent of participants indicated a lack of interest in the holiday season as the reason for their non-participation. Six per cent reported that they would be working throughout the holidays. Additional responses pointed to religious beliefs, with 1 per cent of respondents identifying as Muslim and another 1 per cent belonging to faith groups that do not observe these particular celebrations.

Others mentioned personal circumstances, such as not having a family to celebrate with or being preoccupied with financial responsibilities like school fees and books. The survey methodology, which employed Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI), had a margin of error of ±4.001 per cent at a 95 per cent degree of confidence, alongside a notable 96 per cent response rate.

Representation was ensured across the eight regions of Coast, North Eastern, Eastern, Central, Rift Valley, Western, Nyanza, and Nairobi, with varying sample sizes in line with regional populations. As the cost of living continues to escalate, many households are finding it increasingly challenging to engage in traditional festive celebrations.