Impact of the war on Kenyans
We are facing a crisis on top of a crisis.
First, there is the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic that has completely upended our economies and way of life. The virus’s continuous expansion could result in even more contagious or, worse, more fatal forms, causing additional disruptions and growing gaps between wealthy and developing nations.
Second, the war: The economic devastation caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is shocking the entire world. The suffering of regular men, women, and children in Ukraine, including more than 11 million displaced persons, is the greatest human catastrophe. Our prayers are with them.
The Kenyan economy is a commodity market, which implies that the majority of its income comes from the export of commodities. Kenya’s top exports are cut flowers, vegetables, coffee, and tea. Kenya was directly impacted by the sanctions against Russia due to the disruption of commerce in the country’s primary exports. Kenyan flower farms already cut back on their output due to weak demand, and the tea industry is also suffering as a result of Russian tea purchasers avoiding the auction after the introduction of the sanctions.
Due to the penalties, the big shipping firms also kept away. Following the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, Kenya now faces a threat of rapidly rising food prices. Kenyans are currently going through one of the roughest times in the nation’s history after just barely surviving the Covid-19 pandemic’s negative economic effects.
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), Wheat is the third most consumed food commodity in Kenya, making the latest price hike in wheat flour and bread a painful one for Kenyans.
It is disheartening for the families living in Korogocho slums since these families live by nill to mouth. During this tough times, most families sleep hungry now that the little money they get cannot even buy a bag of maize meal for the family.
VPM Local Income
We are facing difficulties in raising money from our Lucky Summer flats which normally go to- wards paying our staff. Our tenants have been affected by the Ukraine war more that even Covid-19 and they cannot afford to pay rent and for those that can pay , they only pay very little amount. We however cannot chase them away from the flats but paying bills and salaries has become a challenge for us.
We however thank our donors for the continued support and prayers during this challenging moment. It gives us motivation and energy to continue surviving. We have to be tough in Christ.
