Why are Kenyans no longer eating out?

Why are Kenyans no longer eating out? Of course. This is a very topical and important issue in Kenya. While the statement "Kenyans are no longer eating out" is somewhat of an exaggeration, it reflects a clear and visible trend of decline. The main reason for this is the acute cost of living crisis, which has made dining out a luxury that many can no longer afford. This is due to the following combination of factors: 1. The main reason: Rising prices and shrinking wallets High inflation is eating away at everything. The cost of food, fuel, and basic necessities has skyrocketed, reducing disposable income. When families struggle to buy basic foodstuffs like maize flour (unga), cooking oil, and vegetables for their own consumption, eating out becomes an unaffordable expense. And then there are the high taxes. The government has introduced and increased various taxes to generate revenue. A value-added tax on fuel has been introduced. This has a domino effect on the prices of all goods, including food transportation, increasing the cost of ingredients for both households and restaurants. The digital tax. It impacts the cost of using food delivery services like Glovo and Uber Eats. Currency devaluation. The Kenyan shilling has lost significant value against the US dollar. This makes imported goods (such as cooking oil, wheat, and equipment) considerably more expensive, further increasing restaurant operating costs. 2. The Restaurant Dilemma: Rising Operating Costs To survive, restaurants have been forced to raise their prices, which deters customers. High food ingredient costs drive up prices. The same inflation that affects households also impacts restaurants even more due to their bulk purchasing. Energy costs are skyrocketing. The cost of electricity and cooking gas has risen dramatically, making it very expensive to run a kitchen. Credit costs have increased. Loans for business expansion or to cover liquidity needs are expensive due to high interest rates. Operating costs are also high. Rent, salaries, and licenses remain high. The result is double pressure. Customers have less money available, and restaurants have to charge higher prices to survive. This creates a vicious cycle: Fewer customers mean lower revenue, forcing some restaurants to close. 3. Changing Consumption Behavior Faced with this economic pressure, Kenyans are fundamentally changing their habits. Entertainment and leisure are essentially prioritized, and restaurant visits are the first things to be cut from the household budget. Even those who still go out are much more mindful of their budgets. They prefer cheaper establishments, forgo drinks or desserts, and share meals. Many prefer to cook for themselves or buy from local, informal food stalls (mama mboga and butchers), which are often cheaper than formal restaurants. Going out is being replaced by visits and gatherings at home. 4. The Digital Transformation: Not a Complete Replacement While delivery apps also suffer from the same economic difficulties, delivery fees, service charges, and the inflated menu prices of these apps significantly increase the final bill compared to eating in a restaurant. And, yes, it remains a luxury; for most, ordering via app is an occasional treat rather than a regular habit due to the high overall costs. Evidence of the Trend Numerous articles in Kenyan media report on restaurant closures, empty dining rooms, and owners lamenting the difficult business environment. Kenyans frequently discuss the high cost of dining out on platforms like Twitter using hashtags such as #NjaaRevolution (Hunger Revolution) and exchange tips for inexpensive meals. Anyone living in large cities like Nairobi can confirm that the once-busy restaurants, especially on weekdays, are now noticeably emptier. Conclusion While Kenyans haven't completely stopped eating out, a large portion of the middle class has significantly reduced the frequency of their meals. What was once a regular social event has now become a rare luxury reserved for special occasions. The core problem is a strained economy, which has widened the gap between the cost of dining out and the disposable income of the average Kenyan. As long as the overall economic situation doesn't improve, this trend is likely to continue. @https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/enterprise/article/2001533979/why-kenyans-are-no-longer-eating-out