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Christmas 2025: Why high fares kept families apart this year
Families enjoy a merry-go-round ride at Uhuru Park, Nairobi, on December 25, 2025, as thousands of city residents celebrate Christmas in the capital, underscoring how the city remains lively despite a mass exodus to the Coast and upcountry destinations, with many choosing, or constrained by finances, to mark the festive season in public spaces.
Kenyans celebrated Christmas as a season of renewal and joy with families, friends and travellers embracing the holiday in vibrant and intimate ways.
From bustling towns and beach resorts to quiet villages, the day became a much needed escape from the pressures of the year.
Through music, travel, worship and togetherness, Kenyans carved out moments of happiness proving that even in challenging times, the spirit of Christmas remains alive and deeply cherished.
Across the country, Kenyans marked Christmas Day at recreational facilities, entertainment spots and places of worship even as harsh economic conditions continued to shape how the holiday was celebrated.
While many travelled upcountry to join relatives, a growing number chose to remain in towns and cities finding alternative ways to celebrate close to home.
Thousands of city residents walk towards Uhuru Park, Nairobi, on December 25, 2025, as the Christmas holiday unfolds, highlighting how the capital remains vibrant despite a mass exodus to the Coast and upcountry destinations, with many families opting for or compelled by financial constraints to celebrate the festive season within the city’s public spaces.
In Nairobi City, recreational spaces were filled with families and groups of friends celebrating in their own style.
The Central Business District was busy as residents turned out in large numbers to take photographs with their loved ones, creating brisk business for photographers who lined
the streets.
“This is the only day that we always look forward to. Business was quite good. I can go home with something today and get something for my family for Christmas,” said James
Ochieng, who has been taking photos in the CBD.
Mr Ochieng said that on an ordinary day he makes between Sh800 and Sh2,500 depending on weather and foot traffic, but on Christmas Day he earned about Sh10,000.
A family enjoys camel rides at Uhuru Park, Nairobi, on December 25, 2025, as thousands of city residents celebrate Christmas in the capital, underscoring how the city remains lively despite a mass exodus to the Coast and upcountry destinations, with many choosing, or constrained by finances, to mark the festive season in public spaces.
Uhuru Park was equally lively, with families transforming the space into a picnic destination. Visitors dined in the open, enjoyed skyline views of the CBD and the
Expressway, took leisurely strolls and boat rides on the artificial lake and posed for photographs.
But not everyone at the park was celebrating in high spirits.
Wycliffe Aneda from Vihiga said the high cost of living had dampened his festive mood.
“The value of money is down and the income is not good as well. I decided to come here at Uhuru Park just to observe what people are doing even if I don’t have money. Seeing people do their stuff is what brought me here. I’m here alone. The family is at home,” Mr Aneda said.
He described Christmas 2025 as one of his most disappointing, noting that he could not afford the Sh3,000 fare needed to travel upcountry.
Others, however, found joy in staying within the city. Odek Queen from Kisumu said she prefers spending Christmas at Uhuru Park to avoid travel chaos.
“I’m here with my relative who came to the city to visit us. I always come here and to me this Christmas has been good. I spent about Sh5,000 on this day alone on food and fun activities,” she said.
Children enjoy themselves in a floating tube at Cprus Park in Nakuru City on December 26, 2025 as families visit the park to celebrate Boxing Day.
Similar scenes were witnessed at Waterfront Mall and The Hub in Karen, where Kenyans spent the day shopping, dining and enjoying activities such as water park rides, go karting, arcades, zip lining, airbag jumping and climbing.
As many residents opted not to travel, parcel delivery services recorded booming business in Nairobi and other major towns. Rising transport fares, some of which had doubled or tripled, forced many families to send gifts and food parcels instead of travelling.
At the Railways stage, parcel centres operated by Ena Coach, Easy Coach and North Rift were crowded with people sending items to their families upcountry. Linda Atieno Onyango said travelling home had become unaffordable.
“I have not travelled because the bus fare was too high. That is why I decided to come here to send some items to my family. I will celebrate in my house here in Nairobi while my family is in Bondo,” Ms Atieno said, adding, “We used to pay Sh1,650 from here but now it is Sh2,500 and I have a family. I cannot afford that with this economy.”
Deputy CEO at Ena Coach Jervis Sundays said the company recorded a 50 per cent increase in parcels.
“I think people have realised that buying things in the city is cheaper and then sending them upcountry. We have seen an increase and we have changed how we operate in terms of parcels, adding the number of trucks moving to ferry the parcels,”Mr Sundays said.
He noted that some deliveries were delayed due to traffic snarl ups on major highways, including Mai Mahiu and the Nairobi Nakuru road. He also warned of rising cases of fraud involving fake travel tickets.
“The scammers have learned how to mimic websites and scam people. Many people are coming with fake tickets that they want to travel with. We are alerting the public that
before making any payments, they need to be very sure they are dealing with registered agents,” he said.
In the South Rift region, thousands of residents flocked to churches and entertainment spots under tight security.
In Nakuru City, Christmas celebrations began on Christmas Eve, with worshippers attending services while others thronged restaurants, pubs and entertainment joints.
Rev Fr George Munyaka of the Catholic Diocese of Nakuru urged Kenyans to celebrate responsibly.
“Christmas is a season of rejoicing in which Christians commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. I urge Kenyans to be accommodative and mindful of others during Christmas and
New Year festivities,” he said.
He also encouraged moderation and sharing with the less fortunate. During Christmas Mass at the Catholic Diocese of Nakuru, 23 children were baptised.
Similar messages of peace, unity and love were delivered in churches across Nyandarua, Kericho, Narok and Bomet counties.
Elsewhere in the region, families visited tourist sites such as Lake Nakuru National Park and Menengai Crater, while entertainment joints along the Nairobi Nakuru Eldoret
highway were packed with revellers.
In Naivasha, Narok and the Maasai Mara, hotels, lodges and resorts were filled to capacity.
“We are recording booming business,” said a manager at Enashipai Resort in Naivasha.
Food traders and hawkers also benefited from the crowds. At Nyayo Gardens in Nakuru, Ms Jane Kariuki said sales were strong.
“I have done roaring business today because of the huge number of people at the Nyayo Gardens,” she said.
Thousands of Holiday makers throng the Jomo Kenyatta Public Beach in Mombasa during the Christmas Hoiliday Celebrations in this photo taken on 25th December 2025.
At the Coast, Christmas took on a different rhythm as thousands of residents, domestic holidaymakers and international tourists flocked to public and private beaches.
Mombasa, Diani and other coastal towns were busy as visitors swam, sunbathed, snorkeled and enjoyed boat and camel rides.
“Life challenges will always be there. You cannot spend the whole year stressed and frowning. This Christmas, I decided to travel to the Coast and rest,” said Everline
Wanjiku, a Nairobi resident.
Philip Otieno, who travelled from Kisumu, said saving small amounts throughout the year allowed him to make his first trip to Mombasa.
“This is my first time in Mombasa. Sometimes you need a change of environment to reenergise and become productive. I love the warm temperatures here. The salty water feels
medicinal. I feel better after swimming all day,” he said.
He added that tough economic times should not deny people moments of happiness.
“Life is too short, and the economy is not getting better any time soon. Use the little you have to make yourself happy,” Otieno said.
A woman enjoys herself on a zip-line at Cyprus Park in Nakuru City on December 26, 2025 as families visit the park to celebrate Boxing Day.
Naomi Nekesa from Bungoma echoed the sentiment.
“January will come with its own problems and we will deal with them then. For now, it is time to enjoy and take a break,” she said.
Beach traders recorded brisk business. Ramadhan Mweri, who rents out swimming tubes, said demand rose sharply.
“People who do not know how to swim rent tubes. Prices range from Sh50 to Sh200 depending on the size,” he said, adding that business is usually slow on ordinary days.
Food vendors also benefited, with Cynthia Salim of Pirates Beach saying her sales tripled.
“Today I sold three trays of eggs, which is very rare on normal days,” she said.
Security agencies across the country intensified patrols to ensure safety. In Mombasa, officers, beach management units and emergency responders were deployed, with
ambulances stationed at major beaches. Police said patrols would remain heightened through the New Year.
Anthony Mwangi, leads the All-Saints Cathedral Nairobi choir, performs during Christmas Eve services on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, as Christian faithful gather to usher in Christmas Day.
Religious leaders across regions urged Kenyans to mark the season with prayer, unity and love, while also calling for peace, political tolerance and support for the
vulnerable.
However, the festive mood was tempered by tragedy on the roads. Five people died in a road accident on Christmas Day in Kericho County, pushing the national road death toll
to 36 within 72 hours, according to the National Transport and Safety Authority.
The 5am accident occurred near Kedowa trading centre along the Kericho Nakuru highway following a head-on collision between a truck and a Toyota Probox that was carrying
seven passengers.
Mr James Ng'etich, the Kericho County Police commander, said the Probox, which was heading towards Londiani, collided with a truck travelling towards Kericho.
“Five of the seven passengers died on the spot, while two others were rushed to Kericho County Referral Hospital where they are undergoing treatment,” Mr Ng'etich said.
Police said preliminary investigations indicated that the Probox was speeding before colliding with the Mercedes Benz Actros truck. The bodies of the victims were taken to
Londiani Sub County Hospital for preservation, while the wreckage was towed to Kericho Police Station.
In the North Rift, clerics turned their Christmas pulpits into platforms for social justice and peace calling on the government to bridge the widening gap between the rich
and the poor to ensure equity in the country by fighting corruption by all means.
Ian Mbugua, a member of the All Saints Cathedral Nairobi choir, performs during Christmas Eve services on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, as Christian faithful gather to usher in Christmas Day.
Led by Eldoret Catholic Diocese Bishop Dominic Kimengich and ACK North Rift Presiding Bishop Christopher Ruto, the clergy sent a unified message to President William Ruto:
make 2026 the year of equity, good governance, peace across the country and call for intentional fight against corruption.
Delivering his Christmas sermon at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cathedral in Eldoret, Bishop Kimengich drew parallels between the selfless nature of Christ and the current state of Kenyan leadership. He lamented that selfishness and a lack of genuine love have left millions of Kenyans struggling in extreme poverty while a few enjoy the "national cake."
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Reporting by Kevin Cheruiyot, Brian Ocharo, Eric Matara, Mercy Koskei, Waikwa Maina, Titus Ominde and Vitalis Kimutai
