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‘Mama mboga’ is rapidly becoming endangered in city estates. Her job is being taken over by energetic men in what was for years was a woman’s domain.
Robert Mutinda, who runs a grocery at Kaloleni estate in Nairobi says: “Women prefer to buy from our stalls as opposed to those run by fellow women. There is that preference that draws them to male grocers, and this is why more men are giving this venture a try. It is a big business.”
Catherine Lang’at runs a stall at Landi Mawe estate and though she has regular buyers, many women prefer stalls run by men. “Go to the markets in the mornings and you will be amazed how men haggle for the wares. The mama mboga we knew is slowly being edged out of business” says Catherine.
John Mutiso, another trader says: “My customers, especially young women, place their orders on their way from work or before leaving for work in the morning. Interestingly, they love male vendors because they can’t call the women grocers to place such orders.”
He adds that the business is further supported by modern housewives “who spend the entire day in the house, but cannot chop veggies or peel potatoes. They rely on us. Some even ask me to chop onions and dhanias for them.”
