The Covid-19 pandemic threw the country into a turmoil, with millions of Kenyans losing jobs. According to the survey by Kenya National Bureau of Statistics released on Tuesday, September 1, Kenya's unemployment rate has doubled in the period between April and June, from 5.2% to 10.4%.
The massive job losses affected income which makes it hard for many families to finance their bills and meet their basic needs. This forced many Nairobi residents to relocate upcountry to cut costs.
However, for those who can't travel upcountry for one reason or another devised new ways to solve the rent debacle as seen from a number who spoke with Kenyans.co.ke.
A number of generous landlords offered rent waivers to their tenants. With the government declining to offer appropriate solutions to one of the most debated issues since Coronavirus broke out in March 2013, most landlords remained adamant on the agreed rent prices.
Nairobians are now moving in together to cost-share rent, meals and other basic necessities as the country stares at a higher rate of frustrated, jobless Kenyans.
A journalist who was retrenched by a media house stated that he sent his wife and kids upcountry and moved in with his friend.
"First, it was hard to face my friend and tell him that I wanted to move in as I am a married man and he is not. started by asking him to safeguard my household goods as I look for a new house.
"Slowly by slowly I started leaving in the morning and returning in the evening. He got acquainted with my trick and we have been living together," one James (asked for a pseudonym) stated.
A lady who also spoke out stated that his boyfriend moved in with a friend and sent her back to her parents. However, the two men could not find a common ground for relating and ended up parting ways two months later. His partners, she says was being mistreated as he was jobless while the friend was employed.
He had to move into another house in Kawangware, from Kasarani and survive on menial jobs until he landed a low-income job.
Speaking with DW News, Victor Ondigo a mjengo worker (construction labourer) added that he moved in with a friend in Mathare. The single room houses seven individuals. Both men are married.
On August 10, the United Nations estimated that Kenya will have approximately 3.5 million severely food insecure people in the months of July and August 2020.
A report released by Geopoll titled Financial Impact of COVID also detailed that over 17 million Kenyans were poised to deplete their savings in August 2020.
Watch News Grill video on Unemployment by Stephanie Wangari
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