Nairobi’s peculiar consumer habits

By Caleb Mutua

Prices of commodities are skyrocketing by the day forcing consumers to unwillingly adjust their consumption patterns to survive these hard times. Eating bread with butter each morning is not a routine anymore and only a few families can afford to obey their meal timetables.

In such a situation in any economical society, consumers would be expected to prioritize basic wants and fight to satisfy those first. This means that all members in a family, especially those who come from poor backgrounds, would be expected to be thoughtful when consuming goods and services. For example, one would expect alcoholic parents to stop or reduce their drinking habits and instead channel their revenue to food and shelter among other necessities. Both the parents and their children would be expected to purchase genuine phones and make phone calls only when it is necessary. Children would not be expected to spend money on games and other leisure activities.

Ironically, the situation is the exact opposite in many needy families. Illicit brew consumption is now at a national disaster level thanks to many parents in the slums, who drink to death claiming that the liquor “unlocks” their stressed minds.

In addition, the majority of slum dwellers use fake electronic devices that hardly last a year. The same people, who should be busy trying to make ends meet by indulging in income generating activities, make long unnecessary calls to their friends and relatives. Children have not been left behind. Play Station 2 joints and video show rooms in many slums are making fortunes as hungry children flock in as early as eight in the morning even when they can play hopscotch, hide and seek and other games for free.

A third world country like Kenya is much like a needy family and change begins at home. Parents who let booze dampen their dreams and ambitions by overindulging in alcohol are like self centered, corrupt and unaccountable despots who embezzle public coffers. Just like in a family, children of Kenya become poor in mind and in many cases end up being like their parents, or worse.

If a family can make do with the little they have, a country can do even better. If parents can be responsible, transparent and accountable, politicians can be better leaders. It all depends with your mindset.

First published in February 2012.