Thrilling festive fever grips Kenyans after difficult year

As the year draws to a close, festive fever is sweeping across Kenya, lifting spirits after a period of economic pressures, unpredictable weather and political uncertainty.

From bustling city streets to quiet rural towns, families and communities are embracing the season with decorations, shopping sprees, and gatherings. They are eager to celebrate, reconnect and leave the challenges of the past months behind them.

Scores of Kenyans have opted to maintain a tradition of joining their family members in the rural areas.

One of them is Ms Betty Masiga, who makes the familiar journey from Nairobi to her rural home in Bunyala, Budalang’i Constituency, to celebrate Christmas with her extended family every year.

She says that choosing the exact date to travel often depends on transport costs and the availability of vehicles. Ideally, Ms Masiga prefers to travel on December 24, when most people have already left the city.

“Travelling a day before Christmas is more comfortable. The vehicles are usually less crowded. The only challenge is the high fares we have to pay,” she says.

For Ms Masiga, travelling home during the festive season is not a matter of choice but an unspoken obligation, observed by every member of her family. Christmas celebrations, she says, begin with attending church together, followed by a family meal and later joining the village in various cultural activities.

Western Kenya, perhaps the region that most vividly embodies the spirit of Christmas for Kenyans, often experiences a surge in travellers eager to reunite with their families.
Lake Victoria Tourism Association Chairman Mr Robinson Anyal says the region has much to offer tourists, both local and international.

“For those who have not had a chance to pay their last respects to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, this will be an ideal time to visit Kang’o Ka Jaramogi Mausoleum because the traffic of visitors has reduced,” says Mr Anyal.

He adds that visitors can also travel to counties that border Lake Victoria to enjoy the sandy beaches. The areas are Busia, Siaya and Kisumu, through to Homa Bay and Migori. He says that these counties have well-established beach hotels.

Surging tourists 

Mr Anyal says that the hospitality industry in the region is already experiencing a surge in domestic and international tourists.

Nyanza Regional Commissioner Flora Mworoa says security teams have partnered with the Kenya Wildlife Service to enhance the safety. The security teams are also working with the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to ensure drivers adhere to road safety regulations.

Matatu Owners Association Kisumu County Chairman Mr Charles Oguyo asked travellers to exercise extra caution to ensure they reach their destinations safely.
“An increase in transport cost is something we should expect because it is normal in business. When supply is low and demand is high, prices rise. My plea to our members is that they should not overcharge clients. Kenyans are already going through a hard time,” says Mr Oguyo.

A recent report by the National Police Service listed Western Kenya; Mbale–Vihiga, Kakamega–Chavakali, Kakamega–Kisumu–Ilesi and Museno, Kakamega–Mumias (Makunga) roads as well as the Kakamega–Webuye–Lubao highway as hotspots. In Nyanza, the hotspots include Awasi–Ahero, Kiboswa–Kisumu, Oyugis–Kisumu, Migori–Kakrao, Daraja Mbili–Bondo Junction and the Oyugis–Katitu roads.

Kisumu has been turned into a continuous open-air celebration with music festivals. Fireworks crack across the night skies as matatus zoom past with their music speakers blasting Christmas carols into the warm air. Each evening promises a fresh musical memory in what residents are calling “party after party.”

On Saturday night, tens of residents thronged Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Mamboleo for the Luo Festival, where seasoned performers and rising stars shared the stage until dawn. The festival carried a profound emotional weight as artistes united to honour former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who died on October 15 while receiving treatment in India.

For Mr Evance Otieno, the four-hour drive from Awendo was worth every kilometre.
“Seeing Prince Indah and Tony Nyadundo share a stage? That’s history. You could feel Baba’s spirit in every song. It was powerful. It felt like home,” said the 28-year-old accountant.

Ms Christine Atieno, who travelled from Nairobi on Thursday to attend the event says that lack of rest did not bother her.

“We have been sleeping since January. It is now time to enjoy the festive season,” she says with a smile.

Several politicians were also present. Orange Democratic Movement Chairperson Gladys Wanga and Kisumu West MP Rosa Buyu could be seen swaying to the music.
Across Kisumu, entertainment joints have lined up guest artistes and refreshed to enhance their clients’ experience. The festive energy has also breathed life into local commerce.

In the Coast region, hotel proprietors say they are having over 80 per cent bookings in their premises. They hope that occupancy will hit 90–100 per cent by Christmas and the New Year.

“Kenyans are really embracing vacations. Domestic tourism is vibrant this year,” says Mr Kioko Musyoki, the General Manager of Leopard Beach Resort and Spa in Diani, Kwale .

In Malindi, Ms Maureen Obunga, the General Manager of Malindi Ocean Beach Resort and Spa, says almost half of the visitors are Kenyans from various parts of the country. She says the hotel is 80 per cent full.

Mr Hilary Siele, the General Manager of Travelers Beach Hotel and Spa in Mombasa, says the government’s open sky policy has given international arrivals a major boost.
Coast Regional Police Commander Mr Ali Nuno assured the public of heightened security throughout the festive period. Police presence has been visible in areas where gang activity has been rife.

“No activities will be allowed on the beaches past 6 pm,” said Mr Nuno.
Chief of Defence Forces Charles Kahariri toured Lamu’s Boni Forest to share early Christmas and New Year joy with military personnel deployed to fight Al-Shabaab terrorists.

Security patrols have also been stepped up in the Rift Valley region, with Dr Abdi Hassan the Rift Valley Regional Commissioner asking motorists to observe road safety rules.

Most leading hotels in Naivasha and Nakuru have recorded massive bookings ahead of Christmas. In Naivasha, hotels reported almost 96 percent bookings by Saturday, while in Nakuru, occupancy ranges between 80–90 percent.

“We are looking forward to improved business compared to last year, and that is something we are proud of,” said David Mwangi, Nakuru County Tourism Association Chairman.

Christmas and New Year bookings have increased by almost 30 percent compared to last year, with about 40 percent of bookings coming from local tourists.

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Reporting by Angeline Ochieng, Domnic Ombok, Kalume Kazungu, Eric Matara and Mercy Koskei