Migori: Easter celebrations in Migori County were visibly low-keyed amid hard economic times, even as Christians thronged various churches across the region to express their religious beliefs. The usual discos and live bands that were common in previous years were nowhere in towns and markets to entertain revelers this time round.
According to Kenya News Agency, the only entertainments witnessed in the region were concerts presented by the faithful of the Catholic Church in their colorful parades held along the county roads. These parades commemorated the painful journey Jesus Christ endured to his crucifixion point, Golgotha, and to his resurrection place on Mt. Olives.
KNA crew talked to various residents who attributed the low-keyed celebrations to lack of financial power by the people. A teacher in one of the local secondary schools, Anne Anyango, noted that many of the residents were very careful this year not to waste the little resources they have on matters that are not a priority to their lives. 'Many like me are aware that schools are opening next week and the few coins in our possessions would rather go towards paying fees for our children in schools,' she explained.
Maurice Okeyo, a matatu driver, when interviewed at the Awendo bus park echoed the same sentiments, while posing, 'What's important between buying your children new goods like clothes and keeping the little money in your pocket for school fees?'
A spot-check within the Migori open market and meat selling points revealed that very few customers were visiting these points to make transactions during the festivity period. People interviewed within the precincts of the market said they were there to pick normal food items and not doing heavy shopping to celebrate Easter holiday. 'I have a few coins to buy my usual food supplies and not to do shopping to celebrate Easter,' said Boke Mwita, a regular shopper at the market.
A butcher at Isebania Market, Marwa Chacha, reported low business, citing the hard economic situation dogging many of his loyal customers at the moment. At the Easy Coach booking offices in Migori town, an employee reported very low early bookings back to Nairobi and other places, adding, 'We don't expect heavy bookings since the region did not experience a huge influx of travelers to the town from other parts of Kenya to celebrate Easter this time round, as per the bus company travel manifest.'