There is a class of people who are referred to as middle-class. The question is, what defines a middle-class person. Is it the money they have in the bank account? And if it is money in the bank that defines a middle-class person, do people allow you to view their bank statements before you classify them as middle-class? Is it the way they dress or the type of drink they take? Well, I have done my little research and I have come up with three things that define a middle-class person by Kenya’s standards.
A car
One of the things that define a middle-class person is a car. He or she must own a car. The model of the car does not really matter much. The fact that he has his or her own personal car automatically qualifies him or her as a middle-class person by Kenya’s standards.
At least one or two bedroom house
Another thing that qualifies a person to be classified as a middle-class person is when he or she owns a one or two bedroom house. The person might have bought the house or he or she is renting it. This means a person living in bed-sitter or a single room is not referred to as a middle-class person even if he owns a car. People will refer to such a person as someone who is on his or her way to becoming a middle-class person.
He earns at least Sh100,000 per month
A middle-class person in Kenya has a net earning not going below Sh100,000 per month. This can come from his 8-5pm job or from his business ventures or both. Most people who earn less than Sh50,000 and living in urban areas like Nairobi, Kisumu and Mombasa cannot afford to live in a two-bedroom house. Most prefer to live in bed-sitters and double-room houses.