Hi Cousins! (if you know you know)
Let’s rewind to 2015, when your wallet still had a pulse, and KSh 300 could get you a plate of nyama choma and change for a cold beer. Life was simpler—matatu touts didn’t need a PhD to calculate fares, and your shosho could buy sukuma wiki without taking out a loan.
Fast forward to 2025, and the economy’s serving us lemons with a side of attitude. But we’re Kenyans, so we’re making lemonade, vibing, and hustling harder than ever. Let’s break down how the last 10 years have turned our pockets inside out—without losing our signature swagger!
The Price of Living: Then vs. Now
Back in 2015, life felt like a manageable hustle. A kilo of maize flour was about KSh 60-sh 80, and you could grab a 2kg bag of sugar for under KSh 200. Fuel? Petrol was hovering around KSh 100 per liter, and matatu fares from Nairobi CBD to Rongai were maybe KSh 50 on a good day. You could hit a local joint for a cold beer at KSh 120, and school fees for a decent primary school were around KSh 10,000-15,000 per term for many parents. Events? A concert ticket to see Sauti Sol was probably KSh 1,000, and you felt like a baller for splashing out.
Now, let’s hit 2025. Inflation’s been doing its thing, and the numbers tell a story. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, food inflation was at 6.1% in January 2025, pushing the price of that same kilo of maize flour to around KSh 120-150, depending on where you shop. Sugar? You’re looking at KSh250-350 for 2kg. Fuel prices have eased a bit, dropping to around KSh 180 per liter from a 2022 peak of KSh 217, but they’re still nearly double what they were in 2015. Matatu fares to Rongai? Try KSh 100-150, and don’t even think about surge pricing on Uber. A beer at your local? KSh 250-400, and concert tickets for a big act like Ngemi are now KSh 5,000-6,000. School fees have skyrocketed too—parents are shelling out KSh 20,000-30,000 per term for primary school, and that’s not even touching private institutions.
Basic household goods are no joke either. In 2015, a 500g pack of detergent was maybe KSh 70; now it’s closer to KSh 150. Cooking oil? A liter that cost KSh 150 back then is now KSh 250-400 (watu wa elianto bado mko?), thanks to global supply chain dramas and local droughts. It’s not all doom, though—core inflation (minus food and fuel) dropped to 2% in early 2025, so some items like electronics are relatively cheaper due to global competition. But let’s be real: when was the last time you prioritized a new TV over a sack of potatoes?
The Mwananchi Hustle: How We’re Feeling It
So, how’s this hitting the common Kenyan? Picture James Mwangi from Kiambu, a father of four who used to stretch a week’s groceries for KSh 2,000 in 2015. Now, he’s lucky if that covers three days. “I skip meals so the kids can eat,” he says, echoing a sentiment many feel. Lilian Kihara, a Nairobi kiosk owner, sees fewer customers because wallets are tighter. “People don’t have money to spend on snacks anymore,” she laments. Yet, Kenyans are nothing if not resilient. James is now selling mihogo fry pale Ngara, and Lilian’s experimenting with selling maziwa ya kupima to keep the lights on.
Careers and Employment: Back in 2015, Kenya’s unemployment rate was around 7.4%, and the formal sector employed about 2.7 million people. By 2023, the formal sector grew to 3.3 million, but the informal sector still dominates with 16.7 million hustlers—think boda riders, mama mbogas, and jua kali artisans. The problem? These jobs are often unstable and underpaid. The parliamentary report for 2025/26 warns that economic growth isn’t creating enough quality jobs, so many young Kenyans are juggling multiple side hustles. Graduates like Lilian, who dreamed of corporate gigs in 2015, are now running kiosks or freelancing online. On the flip side, Kenya’s startup scene is popping off—by 2023, we were Africa’s largest startup hub, with digital innovation creating new opportunities for tech-savvy youth.
Marriages and Friendships: Money stress doesn’t stay at the shop—it follows you home. In 2015, couples could plan a modest wedding for KSh 150,000. Today, even a simple ceremony can set you back KSh 300,000, thanks to pricier venues, catering, and that one uncle who insists on a Mugiithi live band. Financial strain is testing relationships, with some couples delaying marriage or kids because “bado hata kujilisha ni ngumu. Mtoi je?”
Friendships: Hanging out isn’t cheap anymore. A night out that cost KSh 1,000 per head in 2015 is now KSh 3,500, so squad meetups are more likely to be a WhatsApp group chat than a nyama choma session. But Kenyans adapt—house parties, beef wet fry na kiugali and Netflix nights are the new vibe.
Businesses and Employees: Small businesses are feeling the pinch. In 2015, a shop owner could stock up with KSh 50,000 and turn a decent profit. Now, with higher input costs and taxes (VAT on fuel doubled in 2023), margins are razor-thin. Employees aren’t having it easy either—lending rates hit 16.89% in 2024, making it harder for businesses to borrow and expand, which means fewer raises or bonuses. Yet, there’s hope: the government’s Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) is pushing for more manufacturing and digital jobs, and remittances from the diaspora (over 4% of GDP in 2023) are keeping some businesses afloat.
The Bright Side: We’re Still Here, Hustling
Let’s not sugarcoat it—life’s tougher than it was in 2015. Inflation, drought, and global shocks like the Russia-Ukraine war have made everything from unga to Uber pricier. But Kenyans are built different. We’ve seen GDP grow from 4.9% in 2015 to 5.6% in 2023, driven by agriculture’s rebound and a thriving services sector. The digital economy is our secret weapon—mobile money and fintech are making Kenya a global leader, with 83.7% of adults accessing financial services by 2021. That’s you, sending M-Pesa to your mom in shags or taking a Zenka loan to keep the hustle going.
What’s Next for us cousins?
So, where do we go from here? The 2025/26 budget might bring more tax hikes, and experts warn it could push two million more Kenyans into poverty if subsidies on basics like maize flour vanish. But we’re not just sitting ducks. As a mwananchi, you’re already adapting—maybe you’re growing your own sukuma wiki or investing even more. Businesses are pivoting too, with more folks using platforms like Zenka to bridge cashflow gaps.
The trick is to keep hustling smart. Embrace digital tools, explore new markets (hello, AfCFTA!), and maybe cut back on that extra beer to save for a rainy day (or a literal rainy season, because climate change is real). The economy’s tougher than it was in 2015, but so are we. Whether it’s keeping your small business alive, planning a budget-friendly wedding, or just vibing with friends over a home-cooked meal, Kenyans are proving that no matter the price tag, we’ll always find a way to make it work.
Call to Action:
Got a story about how you’re navigating this 2025 economy? Share it with us in the comments below! And if you’re looking to keep your hustle strong, check out Zenka’s quick loans to tide you over—because every cousin deserves a shot at winning. Stay sharp, Kenya!
