On April 23, market vendors at the popular Kariene market in Imenti decried an increase in food prices, blaming it on the country’s COVID-19 outbreak.
Some market vendors who spoke with BaiteTv during a market survey in Kariene expressed concern that the rate of increase in food prices would soon force them out of business.
“The economy is in shambles, and all is not well. We’re under a lot of pressure because there’s no money to buy stock, and when customers do buy, they do so on credit. Customers select various items, but when it comes to payment, they state that they will pay the following day. We don’t know whether they’ll return or not.
The market is located in a high-rise building, carrying our items inside became difficult. Selling inside the market is also difficult due to the shelves being designed to resemble caskets. It’s also cold on the inside, so unless you have a jiko, you can’t stay warm. There isn’t enough room for all of us.” one of the traders told BaiteTv.
“For example, if we buy goods on a Tuesday, they will be spoiled by Friday. Another issue we are dealing with is the rise in the cost of goods. For example, cooking fat and rice are normally purchased for KSh 120, but we are currently purchasing it for KSh 220. What we used to buy for two kilograms for Ksh 240 is now Ksh 440.
We buy 1 kg of onions for Ksh 30 but the current price is Ksh 70. We buy tomatoes for Ksh 70 and sell them for Ksh 80. Customers complain that it is too expensive. We have to wait and it starts to go bad.
The pandemic has had a significant impact on us, and we are short on funds. Our children are returning to school, and we are looking for money, but we can’t find it because business is slow.
All product prices have risen, and there is no money to buy. We beg the government to intervene and provide us and those in the mashinani with masks, sanitizers, and food,” Mrs Kinoti, another trader told BaiteTv.
Another trader said: “Students were our primary customers but the business has suffered as a result of the pandemic and school closures. I sell potatoes and fruit, but the prices are high where we get them. The rent is too high, and we don’t have any money.
We beg the government to restructure the market by adding doors so that customers on the outside can see our products on the inside,” pleaded Joyce.
“Potatoes, onions, tomatoes, and cabbage are among the products I offer for sale. The profit is too low, and I am satisfied with Ksh 20, Ksh 10. It serves as a source of income for me to educate my children and provide for my family. Educating and putting food on the table has become difficult because all of the items’ prices have risen and there are no customers to buy from us.
We sell our groceries outside the market because we were afraid that our groceries would be destroyed by the banana vendors,” said Evangeline.
