By Edith Atieno, DevReporter, Kisumu County
The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics in its statement early this year, indicated that the country’s economy bounced back from recession in 2020 to grow by 7.5% in 2021. This is the highest growth in the past 11 years.
“To me, the economic growth report is not relatable since I have not felt it in my pocket. Our pay is stagnant yet the bills keep growing,” says Lawrence Ochieng, a resident at Kisian junction.
The high cost of living, attributed to the skyrocketing prices of basic commodities, has plunged many Kenyans into poverty, leaving them feeling dejected and frustrated by their political leaders and the government as a whole.
“We are actually grateful for the government’s subsidy on maize flour but, personally I am not sure if this will last or it’s just for the remaining short campaign period. What Kenyans need is a lasting solution and strong food security measures, Ochieng’ continues to state.
“The cheap subsidized maize flour is actually nowhere to be found,” says Agneta, a grandmother living with her two grand kids.
She continues to state that her vote is only for the aspirant who has always been present on the ground and not the ones who pop from nowhere and only want to exploit them.
Political leaders have formed a pattern of preying on the poor living conditions of the people, by promising to lower the cost of living if elected.
“Can’t these politicians help us improve our livelihood without necessarily having to secure political positions because I know some of them are actually in a position to,” the 24 year old and a father of one added.
High cost of living is a problem dominating this year’s campaigns, with leaders shifting blame back and forth instead of actually looking into the matter.
According to economists and public policy experts, the first half of the 2022 has been tough, and the second half, with elections in August, set to get worse.
“They are just after our votes, and when they get elected they disappear and the cycle begins all over again,” Effie Anyango, a Student at Maseno University states,” but this time I think it will be different because the people have seen it all and we know better than to be blinded.”
