Christmas day in Kenya: Brand new shoes, clothes define festive season

When we were kids, Christmas wasn't just about feasting. Every child desired to be in their Sunday best. Those who were from well to do families would, of course, get a complete set of new clothing. But even the poorest of the poor struggled to get a little something for their kids - even if it was the humblest form of footwear.
A poor child in brand new bathroom slippers would strut to church as if they owned the earth, as would boys in oversized, garishly coloured second hand shirts or girls in nylon dresses that threatened to erupt into flames when exposed to sunshine. All that mattered was that it was 'new'.

One shoe that defined Christmas for the common man's child was sandak, a light plastic shoe with a strap at the back. Very fairly priced, it was worn by both girls and boys.
Unlike Northstar, moccasins and other shoe brands that were for the well-healed, parents didn't have to save for months on end to afford sandak for their children.
For those who could not afford them, bathroom slippers did the trick; or akala - the sandals made from recycled tyres which cost close to nothing.
But while rural children were fussing over shoes, their parents who were mostly peasant farmers were pretty comfortable living in their gumboots. They wore them come rain and shine - except on Christmas Day!