The FINANCIAL — Considering the hard economic times that many have been forced to face in 2016 that saw fewer of them travel upcountry for the holidays, money has been cited as the major saviour for majority of them.
The 54% majority have indicated their new plans to ensure they make an extra coin in 2017 through either investing in the right places, avoiding luxuries, or reducing their usual expenses, according to Ipsos.
Surprisingly, even with the current health crisis that has forced many to spend from their own pockets or die silently in their homes, not many Kenyans are interested to give health that extra attention.
According to a survey, only 13% of Kenyans plan to improve their physical or health conditions while a mere 1% want to lead a healthy lifestyle.
“Among Kenyans as a whole, the desire for material improvement in the coming year is overwhelming, with ‘saving more money’, ‘getting a (regular) job’ and ‘building or buying a house’ being the most frequently mentioned hopes,” the report read in part.
In the survey that polled 1,083 Kenyans across the former provinces, 20% of Kenyans led by those making Sh40, 000 and above plan to save more money.
Some 16% led by those earning less than Sh10,000 want to get a job this year while 5% also led by those earning the least want to get a new job in 2017.
And for those who may have made a fortune in 2016, the individuals have no plans of being spendthrifts in 2017. Instead, they plan to invest their money in constructive ventures that will either bring in an extra coin or improve their overall standards of living.
While 14% of Kenyans plan to either build or buy a house, half of the same will be purchasing a piece of land.
Also, while 12% intend to further their education, 5% will be investing in their children’s education.
Those who want to expand or start a business were 9% while those who want to expand or start farming activities are 4%.
As many are avoiding ventures that need money to sustain, only 3% plan to get married or add an additional wife while just one per cent will either have a child or buy a car.
While 18% of Kenyans do not have plans at all for the new year, only 8% intend to strengthen their relationship with their creator.
“Interestingly, however, nearly one-in-five declined to name a single such goal or aspired-achievement. Whether this is because they are completely satisfied with their current situation, or rather, have no realistic hope of material, physical or spiritual betterment, is unclear,” read the report.
