NAIROBI – Majority of Kenyans will not celebrate the Valentine’s Day today due to be marked globally because of economic hardships, according to a survey published on Monday.
The findings by pollster Ipsos-Synovate indicated 51 percent of Kenyans would not celebrate the day, while 35 percent of Ugandans are also less thrilled about the day. It cited high inflation rates estimated at 15.1 percent and 25.7 percent in Kenya and Uganda respectively for their reluctance in observing the day.
Despite the higher rate of inflation in Uganda, more Kenyans blamed limited finances as a key barrier to celebrating Valentine’ s date, the study showed.
“The issue of finances as a barrier points to the need to educate Kenyans on creative ideas on how to be romantic this Valentine’s day without spending too much money,” it said. “About 30 percent of Kenyans said they would not mark Valentines Day because they didn’t believe in it, compared to 22 percent of Ugandans,” the study said.
However, over 60 percent of urban dwellers in Kenya and Uganda felt the day was indeed important, according to the research which was done in Kenya and Uganda after interviews of 1,011 and 1,045 respondents respectively, all aged 18 and above living in urban areas between Feb. 6 and 9.
On the other hand, the survey showed 65 percent of Ugandans indicated that they intended to celebrate the day compared to about 49 percent of Kenyans.
“Most of those who will celebrate Valentine’s Day this year will do so with their romantic partners or at least those with whom they are in an intimate relationship,” the study said. This was mostly mentioned by 82 percent and 70 percent of those interviewed in Kenya and Uganda respectively.
“This means that romance is a two way affair for both males and females surveyed,” the study said. “It is expected that women will be taken out for romantic dinner and as such the men are hopeful that their dates will not be turned down,” it said. The study showed 93 percent of those who are enthusiastic about St. Valentine’s Day are hopeful that they will spend money on their loved ones and this is the same for both Kenya and Uganda.
Although Valentine’s Day is a festival of romantic love and many adult people in Uganda and Kenya continue to embrace the day, the study indicated it has also become a celebration time for families and friends in general. (Xinhua)
