What is Money worth in Kenya?
A domestic employee here earns between 2000 and 5000 KSH, about 20 – 50 Euros. Here in Eldoret, a software engineer earns between 20,000 and 70,000 KSH, 200 to 700 Euros or even more. A Kenyan Minister earns about 800,000, approx. 8000 Euro, included is house allowance, car, and entertainment allowances.
A full shopping basket at Nakumatt or Tuskys in comparison with Coop or Migros in Switzerland, in Kenya it costs more in Kenya than in Switzerland. Also even if one not only buys international brands and import products. A shopping at a vegetable market in Eldoret for a good fed family with 8 members can cost about 300 KSH, approx. 30 Euro.
If you analyze this, then you can imagine how life is like with 2000 to 5000 KSH here in Kenya. The reality around us shows that the families eat “Ugali” from Monday to Monday. If things go well, a little vegetable from the garden and every week a chicken, but only may be!
If then a family member becomes sick, it will be really hard. To mere report a disease at the “Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret costs 100 SHS, consultation 300 KSH, X-Ray 700 KSH, bed per night 800 KSH and that is before any treatment begins or the patient receives medication.