In recent months, most Kenyan households have lost their livelihoods due to the effects of the covid19 pandemic. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says that the socio-economic impact of the pandemic has been severe and will take time to reverse.
Kenyans affected by the covid19 crisis have devised strategies to cope with the effects of the pandemic. According to a report published by the IMF, the most commonly used coping mechanism has been reducing food and non-food consumption.
As per the IMF report, from October to November 2020, approximately 41% of the people surveyed cut back food consumption to cope with the impact of the pandemic. 40% of the respondents said they reduced their non-food consumption during that period.
Between July and September last year, more than 50% of the respondents said they lessened their food intake as a result of covid-linked challenges. In the same period, over 50% of the people questioned said they cut their non-food consumption.
Besides cutting back on food and non-food consumption, Kenyans applied other coping strategies such as; taking loans, selling assets, seeking help from friends and family, relying on savings, engaging in additional income, and purchasing goods and services on credit.
From May to June, July to September, and October to November, approximately 20% of the respondents said they took no action to cope with the crisis, a sign that the pandemic had little or no negative impact on their livelihoods.
Also read: Kenya’s Economy Shrinks by 5.7% in 2020 Q2 as Pandemic Hits Key Sectors
