Hustle culture in Kenya: Why everyone is busy but still broke
By Valerian Khakayi, May 11, 2026In Kenya today, being busy has almost become a badge of honour.
Everyone is hustling, working long hours, running side gigs, attending meetings, answering calls, and still planning the next move. But despite all this activity, a big question remains: why are so many people still broke?
Here are reasons why many people are still broke despite hustling.
- High cost of living
One major reason is the high cost of living. In cities like Nairobi, basic needs are expensive.
Rent keeps going up, food prices change every other week, transport costs eat into daily income, and utility bills never seem to end. Even a decent salary can feel too small once everything is paid for.
- Family responsibilities
For many people, the pressure is even higher because of family responsibilities.
Parents are not just working for themselves; they are paying school fees, buying uniforms, providing lunch money, and sometimes even supporting relatives back home.
School terms come with constant pressure: exams, extra lessons, and unexpected school requests that must be met immediately.
For many households, money is always needed yesterday.
- Lifestyle pressure
At the same time, young people are facing a different kind of pressure, lifestyle pressure.
There is a strong desire to look good, dress well, and appear successful.
Social media has made it worse. Instagram and TikTok are full of polished lives, nice outfits, weekend trips, fancy restaurants, and constant outings. To keep up, many young people spend money they do not really have just to impress others or feel included.
- Party culture
Party culture also plays a role. Weekends are no longer simple rest days.
There is always an event, a hangout, a concert, or a link-up. Money that could go into savings or rent is often spent on entertainment, alcohol, and trying to stay visible in social circles.
- Extravagant living
Another growing issue is living beyond one’s means.
Many people are maintaining lifestyles that do not match their income. Someone earning a modest salary may still want to live in a nicer apartment, drive a car, eat out regularly, and dress like influencers online.
The result is a cycle where money comes in, but it goes out just as fast.
In the end, the hustle is real, but so is the pressure.
People are working hard, yet they are also juggling survival, family needs, social expectations, and lifestyle demands all at once. And maybe that is the reality of modern Kenya: everyone is busy, but very few feel financially free.