When the government banned the sale of charcoal, many traders have been affected directly and indirectly. Many have been pushed out of business while the few who are remaining are counting loses. Some of the traders who have been affected directly by the charcoal ban are the charcoal dealers. Those who trade charcoal at wholesale and retail prices. This includes even the drivers who ferry bags of charcoal from the farms to market centers.Another group of people who have been affected by the ban is those who use charcoal as the only source of fuel in their homes.
Nyama-Choma
Those who have been affected indirectly by the charcoal ban are those who use charcoal in the process of selling their wares. A good example is the “Nyama choma” guy who uses charcoal to roast his meat for his customers. Because he uses a lot of money to purchase the little charcoal that is available, he is forced to increase the price of his roasted meat if he is to realize some profit from his business. Apart from “Nyama Choma,” the following food items have also been affected by the ban.
Mahindi Choma
The guy who sells roasted maize by the roadside is also finding it hard to make ends meet with the charcoal ban still in place. For him to make some profits, he has to increase the price of his roasted maize. A whole roasted maize cob which used to go for Kshs 20 now goes for Kshs 30.
Ready Githeri, Beans
Another food item whose price has shot beyond the roof is the ready githeri and boiled beans. Those who sell boiled githeri and boiled beans, Njahi and even boiled potatoes use charcoal. A small cup of boiled beans used to go for Kshs 5 than it rose to Kshs 10.Now the same cup goes for Kshs 15.Clearly, those who have been most affected by these increase in prices of food items are the poor who rely on roasted maize and boiled beans.