Why Luhyas Went “Home” With Their Sufurias For Christmas, And Now Carrying Them Back

During the December holidays, the Nairobi-Nakuru highway (outbound) was a nightmare. The peculiar habit of Kenyan drivers overlapping, speeding, and overtaking were maxed during the period. It was yet again the “great migration” of Kenyans going back home.

One thing stood out, though. Many buses had been packed to capacity with household items, and the internet was awash with the usual stereotypes that it was the Luhya community “carrying everything” for Christmas and would later carry the same things back to Nairobi.

The allegations are not entirely true, but not wrong. This morning and days to come, passengers in Kakamega, Bungoma, Kitale, Webuye, and sometimes Eldoret, will be back at bus stations with the same households they went with, coming back to “Nairobi.”

Why do they usually do this? We wanted to find out from one family that carried everything, including a mopper, to a village in Likuyani, and are planning to come back with the same things.

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Here are the reasons:

Security: During the holiday season, most informal settlements are prone to insecurity, with houses being broken into. When thugs realize that the owners are not around, they break into such houses and carry everything. It is easier to carry everything than buy everything.

Rent: The majority of them want to avoid paying rent for December because they will be out of Nairobi. They, therefore, move out of the house and look for a new one when they finally come back to Nairobi.

Upgrade: Some want to upgrade and therefore, take old things to their rural homes and buy others when they come back. Others might just be moving out of Nairobi for good.

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