Maseno based vegetable traders are this week making losses due to lack of customers whose majority are Maseno University students.
The varsity students have been doing their exams for the past two weeks, a majority of them have completed the exams and resumed their short holiday.
The traders who had ordered supplies for the whole week long are faced with the challenge of finding alternative markets, something which is almost impossible at the moment.
“While ordering, we thought the students will be around whole week long and our supplies came in to last for the whole week, while we have also ordered supplies for the coming days already and there is no way we can revoke the order," said Alice Otieno, trader.
According to the traders, students from the institution are their main customers and when the varsity closes for holidays, it means they are out of business.
They are now left with option of either disposing the vegetables or finding an alternative place to sell them, because of their perishable nature.
“We have to throw it away if we don't get an alternative market since the goods we deal in are very perishable in nature. Our fear is; if we don't get an alternative market, then we'll be forced to throw them away,” said a dejected Purity Muoma.
A majority of Maseno University students cleared their exams by Tuesday evening and a large number has already vacated the institution.
When students are in session, many businesses around the institution usually come to life compared to when they vacate for holidays.