Christmas Eve in Kenya means busy markets and last-minute shopping for the big day, but what about the traditions? . Many families focus on meat for their meals. Chicken and goat top the list for nyama choma or stews. This year, social media posts showed the usual rush, with some light debates mixed in.
In Kisumu, people crowded markets to buy chickens on December 24. One photo shared widely showed buyers carrying home live birds. Prices reached as high as 1,600 shillings for a good one. Some said it felt steep, but chicken stays popular because it cooks fast and feeds a crowd. Butchery meat costs more occasionally. Families in the Lake region often pair it with ugali or rice.
Markets in places like Kibuye stayed packed all day. Traders sold out early in some spots. Others complained sales dropped compared to last year. A tough economy plays a part. People are watching spending more now. Still, no Christmas table feels complete without chicken for many homes.
A day earlier, a post from the Nyeri area sparked talk about goat slaughter. On social media, a netizen shared pictures of women handling a goat in a Kikuyu community. They prepared it for the holidays. Some men commented right away. They called it against tradition. In older Kikuyu ways, men usually slaughter bigger animals like goats. Women handle chickens or smaller tasks.
The post got mixed reactions. Defenders said times change. Many women live alone in towns or run homes. They slaughter goats themselves or take them to abattoirs. Urban life makes it common. Professional butchers process meat quickly now. Families pick it up ready for grilling. No need for home slaughter always.
Goat meat ranks high for Christmas in central Kenya. Nyama choma from goat tastes rich. Families chip in to buy one and share. Slaughter often happens Christmas morning as a group activity. Men lead in rural spots still. But rules bend in cities.
These online chats happen every festive season. They show old customs meeting new ways. Women join more in prep work. Young people learn from both sides. Humour keeps it light. Jokes fly about who holds the knife best.
Across Kenya, Christmas food brings people together. In the west, like in Kisumu, fish joins chicken sometimes. Central areas love goat. Coastal spots add spices to rice. But nyama choma unites most tables. Chapati, pilau, and greens round it out.
This year, posts captured the excitement. People cheered chicken buys. Others laughed over goat debates. It reflects daily life. Traditions hold strong but adapt too.
Markets wind down now. Homes fill with cooking smells. Families wait for tomorrow’s feasts. Church services come first for many. Then eating and visiting.
In Migori, some traders noted fewer chicken sales. Books for school mixed with food shopping. Parents plan ahead for January.
Overall, the rush shows Kenyans make the most of holidays. High prices or debates aside, food stays central on the big day for Christians. It ties to family and sharing. As night falls on Christmas Eve, prep continues quietly in many compounds. Tomorrow brings the payoff.
