Tough times as most families skip lunch, consider it a ‘luxury’

Although the cost of living varies for individuals, depending on where you live and do your shopping, the current situation has hit most Kenyans like bad breath.

A number of families who spoke to Wananchi Reporting are blaming the rising cost of essential commodities like cooking oil, bread, milk, flour, soap and tissue paper.

“I no longer leave behind money for lunch, it’s become too expensive for me ever since prices shot up. But I leave behind money for breakfast, and supper,” Maurine Wanja, a teacher and a single mother, told Wananchi Reporting.

Wanja says she spends Sh350 on breakfast, and between Sh350 and Sh500 on supper. That's on the lower side, as some households spend more than double what Wanja spends.

“I teach at a private school here in Nairobi, and my salary is Sh18,000, from which I have to pay rent, food, medicine, school fees, transport, electricity and other emergencies,” says Wanja.

Other families have resorted to serving their families porridge, turning lunch time as they had come to be known a completely new experience.

“I only serve lunches twice a week, on Saturdays and Sundays because these are families days, and `I don’t want my children to have fun on an empty stomach,” says Agnes Kwamboka who leaves in Nairobi.

Wananchi Reporting has learned that skipping lunch is a common routine in most big families.

“I house three relatives who are job hunting here in Nairobi. I have my three children and my husband and of course the house help. It would be difficult to afford all the three meals when only my husband works at the moment,” says Mary Achieng.

“So, we have to be frugal to survive in Nairobi, and I am happy that my family and the guests understand that these are tough times,” adds Mary.  

Things are not difficult at the lunch table only – as even washing of clothes has to be done sparingly given a 1 kg bar of soap currently costs Sh200.

Most families have resorted to taking tea without milk – because the prices of milk have hit the roof, the same goes for bread.

“I don’t remember the last time I ate bread in my house,  I only buy sweet potatoes, or prepare very good githeri, enough to last us a few days,” says Mary.

Kenyans continue to grapple even as the Kenya shilling continues to take a serious beating from the dollar.