- On Saturday, February 17, social media in Kenya erupted with astonishment as a video surfaced showing students at the United States International University-Africa (USIU) revealing their monthly and yearly expenses, surpassing those of the average Kenyan worker.
- While one individual disclosed spending Ksh37,757 in January, another astonishingly revealed a staggering expenditure of Ksh232,851 for the same month, with a jaw-dropping Ksh2 million spent over the past two months
On Saturday, February 17, Kenyans on social media were in disbelief after a video emerged of students at the United States International University-Africa (USIU) disclosing their monthly and yearly expenditure which is more than that of the average Kenyan on a payroll.
The video whichh was first posted by Omar Ibrahim on Instagram found its way to X, with Kenyans particularly questioning the source of those funds amidst tough economic times in the country.
Omar in the clip interviewed select students and he challenged them to reveal their expenditure for January as well as for the whole year.
Whereas one of them disclosed spending Ksh37,757 for January, another revealed that he had spent Ksh232,851 during the same month, though Omar in a disclaimer noted that he actually spent more than Ksh200,000.
“What about, let’s say your last 12 months?” Omar posed to the student.
“My last 12 months is Ksh2 million,” the student answered, revealing the amount to be Ksh2,041,574.
Another student revealed that he had spent Ksh176,449 for the month of January while another spent Ksh47,726.
The video sparked mixed reactions, with some Kenyans claiming that what the students were spending amounts similar to what Members of County Assembly (MCAs) earn every month.
Others lamented that companies would struggle to match up to their salary demands in the event they happen to seek job opportunities from them.
However, what was notable was the difference in monthly expenditure between the male and female students Omar interviewed, with the net spending significantly more amongst the men than amongst the women.
“Those men spend more on some other women if not those in the video. I mean women’s expenditures on their own money will always be less. Maybe he could have allowed them to share balances I won’t be surprised if it’s vice versa,” one user commented.
“Stay in your social castes, my guys. Now imagine trying to impress a USIU chic when her “nothing too crazy” January spend is your net sal?
“The male students at USiU are spending 5x the amount their fellow female students spend. FYI they are all students so one can assume that their responsibilities are likely similar but yet…,” other comments read.
A new report from the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) 2022 released by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) on July 3, 2023, revealed that 50 per cent of currently married men aged 15–49 who earn cash report that they decide jointly with their wives on how their cash earnings are used, while 43 per cent make such decisions alone.
40 per cent of currently married women with husbands who have earnings reported in the survey that their husband makes decisions alone on how his cash earnings are used and 52 per cent reported that this decision is made jointly.
In comparison, 55 per cent of currently married women make decisions alone on how their cash earnings are used, while 40 per cent decide jointly with their husbands.
This is owing to the fact that seven out of 10 (71 per cent) women earn less than their husbands and nine per cent earn more than their husbands.
