Small trade owners are major beneficiaries although many residents have complained over the increased prices of commodities during this festive season.
Speaking this morning at his work place in Makina village Kibera as he was preparing to start his day’s work, Mzee Polycarp Omweri said that he has increased the prices of the commodities he sells.
“It has been a long journey since the year started and now it is almost coming to an end. I operate here Monday to Saturday. I sell ripe bananas, pineapples, water melon and ripe pawpaws. Previously I used to sell 1 banana at Kshs. 10 but since the festive season started, 1 banana goes for Kshs. 15 and a piece of pineapple, water melon and pawpaw previously costed Kshs. 5 but now I sell at Kshs. 10. This is because the demand is high as most of hotel owners have closed and travelled upcountry for christmas. In a day I sell commodities worth Kshs. 2, 500 unlike before where I used to make approximately Kshs. 1, 000," said Mzee Polycarp.
However, most customers complained due to the increased prices accusing traders of taking advantage of this festive season to hike prices in their sales and asked them to stop the habit since it is discouraging.
“I am disappointed with these traders who increase prices for such mere commodities especially this long December holiday. How comes a piece of pineapple I have been buying at Kshs. 5 is now Kshs. 10. Stop stealing from us customers," said Robert Muriuki, a resident in Makina village.
“I would rather stop buying these commodities, I also need to save money for christmas and school fees for my children since schools shall re-open in the next few weeks,” added Robert.