I recently went to the shop to buy milk and after giving my
usual 100 bob to the shop attendant for bread and milk, he told me it was not
enough! Damn! Breakfast cost me kshs.110!!
To make matters worse I went ahead and kept the milk in the
kitchen cupboard. Well, in the morning, the milk was bad but when I thought of
coughing another 55 bob for milk, I chose to take black tea (As punishment for
my reckless behavior) sadly, this is the situation we have found ourselves in.
Previously, we gladly took on the prices of milk with a sense of
responsibility; however, the recent hike in the milk prices is questioning that
loyalty among many citizens. Then there is the unfortunate circumstance of lack
of an alternative.
Milk is a necessity among Kenyan households. People with
children are going to feel the pinch more than anyone else. Lack of milk can
cause a serious epidemic yet for the everyday Kenyan, it has just been elevated
to the luxury basket.
One of the most poignant memories etched in many a Kenyans
mind is clips of milk being poured out by the farmers due to the lack of a
market. At that particular time, the prices had just shot up. There is hardly
anyone to blame for the reckless pricing of milk. However, everyone is losing
out. Someone should step up, take the blame and bear the fall from where they
can start again. Subjecting the whole nation to a state of milk anxiety when we
have ample supply and demand is a thoughtless act that will end with grave
results.
Apart from milk, I just learned that the prices of vegetables
are going up too. Your usual onions and tomatoes will also cost you more. In a
recent discussion, we pointed out that it is proving much cheaper to eat a
ready meal from a restaurant than to buy all the ingredients needed to make the
meal. That is how bad the situation is. And kshs.100 is still not enough for
breakfast! Combined, these prices are set to strain the finances of the average
Kenyan household. And, one last question ...what is the average salary in the
professional market?
If you have never kept a budget in your home, it’s time to
take out your notebooks ladies and gentlemen!
