Nairobi traders decry low sales as poll nears

Most traders at the Kamukunji market have decried poor sales as the country  prepares for the August 8 General Election.

Most of the traders at this market, located near Gikomba market, import goods in large quantities and later sell to small-scale traders within Nairobi and its environs.

The traders have pointed that with barely two weeks remaining to the elections, their customers who buy their products in large quantities are not doing so for fear of violence.

"Most of our customers have travelled upcountry while others are saying they would rather buy in small quantities for fear of violence," said Wambui, a sales woman at the market.

Peter Kamau, who owns a shoe supply store at the market, said he would not import more goods until after the election.

Small amounts

"I usually import my goods from Uganda where the vehicle has to transverse through various counties to reach Nairobi, am not certain whether these counties will be safe," said Kamau.

Fredrick Omondi, a customer at the market and a small-scale trader who operates a shoe kiosk in Kibera, said he was buying shoes in small quantities. He said he was not stocking as usual as he was not sure of the security of his business as the elections approach.

"For now am buying my shoes in small amounts, after I have sold them all, I come for others," said Omondi.

City County Trade executive Anna Othoro however said his committee members had not noticed any cess changes on sales at the market.

She went ahead to state it was among the best performing markets in the county, pointing that the said claims were mere propaganda.

"We have not noticed any reduced CESS for this month," said Othoro