Survey reveals how cheap Kenyans are going this holiday season

A man pulls a goat across Nyeri's Kimathi way on his way to unknown destination, December 23, 2016, many resident of Nyeri were conducting last minute Christmas shopping as they prepared for the celebration on Sunday. PHOTO: MOSE SAMMY/STANDARD

NAIROBI: Majority of Kenyans prefer sending Christmas text message to their relatives instead of travelling to spend the holidays with them.

And even those travelling, according to a survey by Ipsos would rather stay with relatives than booking hotels.

Compared to 42 per cent of Kenyans who have plans of joining their relatives upcountry for the holidays, a whopping 83 per cent prefer just sending a text message to wish them happy holidays.

Another 23 per cent said they will be sending a Christmas card by post or internet while only 13 per cent revealed plans to travel for leisure.

And some 88 per cent of Kenyans said they will be spending their Christmas in the church compared to 83 per cent last year.

According to the survey that polled 1,083 Kenyans across the former provinces between December 17 and 19, some 47 per cent of Kenyans said they will be spending less compared to 2015 this holiday.

Putting up with relatives
Some 43 per cent however will be spending more with seven per cent pegging their budget to that of 2015.

"While just over half(52 per cent) of those in the poorest grouping-earning less than Sh10,000- indicate they will be spending less, rather fewer in the most affluent-Sh40,000 and above- grouping do so(40 per cent)," reads the survey.

It adds: "These figures are exact the reverse of in terms of those who expect to spend more which is 41 per cent among the poorest compared to 54 per cent of the affluent," reads the survey."

But to reveal more how Kenyans will be going cheap this Christmas, despite Mombasa being mentioned by 23 per cent of Kenyans as favourite holiday destination, 64 per cent would still be staying with relatives.

This is considering compared to 2015 where 70 per cent of Kenyans would have welcomed relatives to their homes, this year the number has gone down to 65 per cent.

Only 20 per cent would stay in hotels with seven per cent in holiday homes.

Nairobi (11 per cent) is the second most favourite destination this holiday followed by other foreign countries away from those in the region.

Favourite Christmas gift
According to the survey, clothes at 23 percent emerged as the most favourite of gifts followed by money to build or buy land (12), food stuff (nine per cent).

With just days to schools' re-opening, some five per cent said they would rather school fees (accessories), electronics, and a car as a Christmas present.

However 24 per cent of Kenyans were not sure of what kind of gifts they would love to receive.