Kilifi residents turn to Mnazi apartments amidst harsh economic times as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Large throngs of revelers have abandoned bars and other drinking places and have turned to quench their thirst for beer and other alcoholic drinks for palm wine.
People lining up for palm wine at Mnazi Dens at popular places such as Mangweni in Malindi, Kaloleni, Watamu, Kilifi, Mtwapa, Magarini, Rabai, and in villages has increased at an alarming rate.
When concern rose to establish the cause, John Kahindi a resident of Kilifi and a common reveler said that they have turned to cheap palm wine (mnazi). He reported that palm wine costs about Sh. 70 to Sh. 140 per bottle which is affordable compared to a bottle of beer which costs as high as Sh. 1000 depending on the restaurant.
Kahindi added that he started partying in Mnazi apartments due to harsh economic moments brought about by the deadly virus. “Reduced daily income due to slached salaries of employees in private sectors and laying off of some workers has led to change of lifestyles among the residents of Kilifi,” He reported.
According to residents, Mnazi is an affordable and more reliable drink compared to beer and other alcoholic drinks. High demand for palm wine is good news to mnazi traders and bad news restaurant operators in the region.
The revelers in the region have also reported that palm wine is sweet and remind them how their forefathers used to operate those days when using shared traditional straws to drink from a common container.
