For millions of Kenyan families, Christmas will arrive quietly this year, without laughter, without feasts, and without the joy that once defined the season.
A recent survey by Infotrak Research and Consulting reveals that 55 per cent of Kenyans say they will not enjoy Christmas, as the harsh economic reality continues to weigh heavily on households across the country.
For many, the season that once symbolised togetherness has been replaced by anxiety, survival and tough choices.
Parents say they are struggling to put food on the table as the prices of basic commodities soar daily. A simple Christmas meal has become a luxury, while gifts, travel and celebrations feel painfully out of reach.
“I would rather buy unga than buy decorations,” one respondent told surveyors, capturing the quiet desperation felt in many homes.
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According to the findings, 78 per cent of those skipping celebrations cited lack of money as the main reason. Rising fuel prices, electricity bills, rent and school fees have drained household incomes, leaving nothing to spare for festivities.
Others spoke of job losses, delayed salaries and shrinking businesses, saying Christmas has become just another day of hardship rather than hope.
Some Kenyans admitted they have lost the spirit of Christmas altogether, worn down by constant financial pressure. Others said they will spend the day working not by choice, but out of necessity, in a bid to keep their families afloat.
The pain is felt most in urban informal settlements and parts of Western Kenya, where families say survival now comes before celebration. Middle-aged parents, burdened by responsibilities and debt, are among those hardest hit.
Though the number is slightly lower than last year, when 60 per cent said they would not celebrate, the reality remains stark: more than half the country will greet Christmas with heavy hearts.
Analysts warn that the findings reflect more than just skipped celebrations , they signal a deeper social strain, where economic hardship is slowly eroding traditions that once brought communities together.
As Christmas approaches, many Kenyan homes will remain quiet, not because families do not value the season, but because hope itself has become too expensive
