Majority of Kenyans are staring at a cash-strapped January, with a struggling economy that is yet to recover after a general election and a pandemic hit.
The resultant economic shocks have seen the cost of living shoot through the roof, leaving many broke.
On the other hand, most Kenyans who work in the formal sector also got their salary paid before the Christmas holiday, which means it will be way more than 30 days before they get another paycheck.
An image of residential building at Pipeline, Nairobi County
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Also, many either used or squandered their salary over the festive period, on travel, impulse buying, and avoidable consumption.
The three factors result in Kenyans making excuses on why they are able to pay rent in January.
Kenyans.co.ke looks at five common excuses Kenyans to evade paying their landlords and ladies.
Not received my salary yet
Kenyans lie to their landlords that they are yet to receive December payment while in truth they have already squandered it and cannot remember when they last spent the last coin.
They hope the lie will last long enough for them to receive January salary.
I will utilize my deposit
Most rental houses ask for a one-month rent deposit before a tenant moves in.
Kenyans in January usually convince landlords that they will utilize their deposit and move out at the end of January. Once they receive the January payment, they convince the caretaker to let them stay.
No job at the moment
Some Kenyans go to an extent of lying that they lost their jobs in to solicit sympathy and not pay January rent.
Imminent super deal
Landlords are usually told about an imminent super deal that will bring in a lot of cash. They are even enticed by the promise of extra payment if they become lenient with due date.
Bank account suspended
‘My account has been suspended and I am trying to sort it out’ is common lie landlords hear in January.
Magically, the account is restored at the end of January.
As the year begins, plan your finances well, purpose to live within your means, diversify your sources of income and save. Happy new year!
An image of rental apartments in Ngara, Nairobi.
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