Every year, Christmas is the same for the majority of Kenyans …
You know? You close the office, have an end of year party then go to either shags or coasto, spend the short holiday there and then come back to the city to face njaanuary and repeat the monotonous cycle of going to work every day…
Here are things that are too real about Christmas in Kenya:
  1. Most people leave town. Most Kenyans work all year long without any leave and this is always the perfect opportunity to go see the folks back in upcountry. For others with a few bucks to spend, they choose to go on a vacation to the coast or Dubai and the likes. What would we do without Bonfire Adventures?
  1. Traffic becomes a nightmare. Cause everyone is traveling.
  1. Nairobi becomes a ghost town during Christmas and new year. This becomes a perfect opportunity for those who do not travel as the highways are traffic free and even though most shops are closed, there’s peace and less noise.3
  1. Those who remain in Nairobi party like there’s no tomorrow. There are a million parties to go to and since the demand is high, you end up even paying to enter the clubs especially on new year’s eve.
  1. The only Christmas gifts you get are live things. Goats, hens etc.
  1. Supermarkets become crowded Majority of Kenyans are known for the last minute rush and this is experienced as people crowd for  last minute shopping.
  1. As well as clothing stores. Do adults still buy new clothes for Christmas? Or that’s reserved for the kids only? Just asking…
  1. Bus fares hike to three times the normal price. Woe unto you if your shags is in a far place like Eldoret or Kisumu.
  1. Every village smells choma on Christmas day.
  2. This is also the time everyone in upcountry calls and tells you “Usisahau kunilietea sikukuu” And by that, they mean some money.
  1. Many families hold get-together parties. This is the perfect time when families come together to celebrate Christmas together and bond.