Moving forward into the new year
New Year’s celebrations swept across Kenya and the globe, ushering in 2023 with fireworks and marking an end to a year that brought a new government in Kenya, as well as worries over the inflation crisis and the ravaging impact of drought.
In Kenya’s big cities and towns, huge crowds counted down the seconds into 2023, culminating in raucous cheers and a deluge of glittering fireworks, and pulsing lights on landmark streets and buildings.
Across Kenya and the world, at least for a day, the people’s thoughts focused on new possibilities starting in January, even elusive ones such as ending hunger amid biting drought in the country as well as a resolve to keep the next set of resolutions as the New Year begins.
For Kenyans from all walks of life, January carries higher stakes: there is always a sense of urgency and various financial needs such as school fees, back-to-school shopping, and rent, among other bills all to be met on the same dime.
The latest data on December 2022 inflation, however, brings a sense of hope and optimism that a good beginning is setting in as the New Year starts.
“I want to assure the country that we removed subsidies in August last year, there will be no additional charges today or going into the future on electricity bills to the people of Kenya,” said President William Ruto in his speech to usher in the New Year.
January kicks in at a time when the cost of living in Kenya eased for the second straight month to 9.1 percent, down from 9.5 percent in November last year, Kenya National Bureau of Statistics revealed.
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In the period, the prices of some food items such as spinach, cabbages, cooking oil (salad) and mangoes dropped by 5.6, 3.9, 3.9 and 3.8 percent, respectively.
As Kenyans move to meet various bills and expenditures while saving their hard-earned money, a number of options remain open.
For instance, Safaricom customers can let their Bonga points help with some of the back-to-school shopping at any Lipa na M-PESA Buy Goods till at the rate of Kes1 for every 5 Bonga points held.
Customers can access this service by simply dialing up *126# and selecting Lipa na Bonga.
What’s more, in the spirit of giving hope, a show of brotherhood in the face of difficulties, Kenyans can donate to the over 4 million fellow citizens who are currently grappling with hunger amid the worst drought in a half-century.
Under the telco’s #TuendeleeKuinuana campaign, one can step in and put a smile on the face of a needy child by paying for their back-to-school shopping using their accumulated bonga points.
Equally, you can reach out to a friend in need and pay for their family shopping needs through bonga points to see them start the new year happy in the Kenyan spirit of brotherhood and companionship.
Telco giant Safaricom’s #Tuinuane campaign champions brotherhood, optimism, and confidence among Kenyans in realizing a brighter future for individuals and communities across the country mainly by encouraging and challenging Kenyans to uplift each other.
