The festive train has already left the station with the year slowly ending and the December mood taking over.
As is typical Kenyan culture, the public transport sector has already recorded a surge in the number of travellers, with various industry recording full bookings to various parts of the country.
In light of the commemoration, Kenyans from different backgrounds are preparing to relish in the delight of observing their traditional Christmas practices, especially after the full reopening of the economy.
Here is how Kenyans from different regions are planning to celebrate the long awaited holiday:
Nairobi City
Urban dwellers who choose to remain in the city are eagerly anticipating to take part in activities offered by enjoyment joints around the city, with parents looking forward to take their children to amusement parks for face painting and swimming.
Revellers are looking forward to go out enjoy themselves in the nightlife after the president vacated the curfew and extended the closing time for bars and restaurants.
For those who would want to give back to society, this would be a perfect time to take part in charity by visit children homes and donating what they can.
With the vacation of cessation of movement and increase of the number of in-person worshippers by two-thirds of the congregation, Christians are looking forward to hold vigils where they sing Christmas carols all night, and even dramatize the birth of Jesus.
Central Kenya
Preparations to celebrate the festive season in the mountain region are in full gear as the locals who are known to feast like kings ready themselves to celebrate Christmas.
They slaughter goats and chicken and roast them in a barberque, or Nyama Choma,and prepare traditional meals such as Mukimo(mashed potatoes and beans) and mutura (traditional African sausage).
Traditional beer, also known as Muratina is made, and is always the highlight of the occasion, as it is regarded as the best way for people to bond socially.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Kikuyu elder Wachira Kago stated that according to Kikuyu culture , it is during the festive period that parents and guardians summon their children, to partake of their blessings.
The Coastal Region
The Coastal region is coming back to life as ,millions of locals and tourists have started streaming in to relish in the hot sunny weather.
Local tourism is definitely witnessing a boom moment, stemming from the vacation of the stringent social distancing rules that crippled the hospitality sector.
Among traditions that are observed by the people in the coastal region is the visiting of the beaches, both public and private to enjoy the ocean waves as they kiss upon the shores.
Owing to their culinary prowess, be sure that they will prepare mouth watering dishes, with the preparation of sea food cuisines, pilau, chapati and mandazi, just to name a few.
It is actually mandatory that one leaves their door open on Christmas day, so that people feel welcome to share in their feast, and after social distancing guidelines allowing more people to congregate in a room, this will be a tradition people can look forward to.
The Maa Region
The Maa community has a unique way of commemorating the noel season, as they congregate under trees near the local open air market on Christmas day.
The a pastoralist community they slaughter goats and roast the meat on sticks over an open fire. In fact, no salt is added to the meat as they say it will ruin the flavour of the meat. Instead, they use special herbs to treat the finger-licking meat.
Only meat is eaten on Christmas Day and they then drink blood collected from the cows they herd.
The Maa community also don special attires on the special day and children are treated to folk tales by older members of the community.
The Rift Valley Region
The rift takes pride in holding their traditions close to heart, and during the festive season, they are enjoy their Mursik(sour milk mixed with charcoal) and native vegetables that are consumed during the festivities.
The Kalenjin community is known to hold their initiation ceremony for young boys around Christmas, which is combined with the festivities.
The Western Region
The Western Region is famous for its love for chicken and it is among the most devoured delicacies on Christmas day. They accompany the meal with traditional vegetables and Busaa which is their traditional brew.
The community takes Christmas very seriously, as they fatten bulls for one year to be slaughtered on the festive occasion.
They often break in song and dance, during events such as Disco Matanga and family get-togethers.
The forthcoming Christmas celebration is set to be one to remember, with Kenyans anticipating resuming normalcy as was before the pandemic struck.
