Despite economic challenges, Kenyans are making their annual mass exodus from cities to their rural villages for Christmas, seeking respite from urban pressures and a reconnection with family and cultural roots. This yearly tradition, driven by a desire for rest and belonging, highlights the enduring significance of ancestral homes.

• The migration sees buses and matatus filled beyond capacity with passengers bound for upcountry destinations like Kisii, Kitui, Kakamega, and Kajiado.
• Nairobi-based accountant Dennis Mwangi (32) describes the journey home to Murang’a as "less about celebration and more about survival" due to overwhelming city life.
• Dr. Ruth Achieng, a Nairobi-based counsellor, emphasizes that in the village, people "feel seen and supported," offering a profoundly restorative sense of safety and community.
• Many families are opting for simpler village routines over expensive city celebrations, with boda boda rider Peter Ouma noting that in the village, "Christmas is not about spending money."