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A number of businesses for the better part of 25th December 2015 were open in Kisumu unlike the past where Christmas festive season was taken as day meant for enjoying and relaxing with family.

Speaking to this Hivisasa writer, Mary Okoth who runs a grocery in Maseno said that she couldn't travel up-country because she needed to save on money to send her kids school come January.

“If I travel home what will my kids take to school January as fees? Life has become so hard and it is pushing us to the edges. When you see me selling my sukumawiki today does not mean I don’t value Christmas, I just have to keep my family going,” said Mary.

Most businesses remained open for the better part of the evening.

“I have gone to church I have had lunch with my family. That is enough for the festive season. I unfortunately don't have any more time to waste,” said Maureen Kavemba at her shoe stall.

“My landlord knows not if it was the festive season or not, when end month reaches, he will come knocking at my door asking for rent. I have to make that money. I don’t see the need of closing my business just because it is Christmas,” said Joseph Kariuki who runs butchery.