Lovers of 'omena' delicacy in Athi River, Machakos County will have to either dig deeper into their pockets to continue enjoying their favorite meal or forget about it altogether.
This is due to the fact that prices of 'omena' have doubled in Athi River markets.
If you get to Athi River's main market with Sh50 to buy 'omena', you will return home empty handed.
Its quantity which used to cost Sh50 now goes for Sh100.
In other words, the smallest quantity of 'omena' that one can purchase in Athi River's main market is Sh100.
With an amount less than that, you will leave the market with an empty shopping bag.
For you to get 'omena' worth Sh50, you will have to visit other smaller markets like Njugu-ini, Slota, Makadara and Sofia and even in these markets, Sh50 will only get you a handful of 'omena'.
“We must inflate 'omena' prizes since those who sell it to us at wholesale in Nairobi have doubled their prices, they apparently sell it expensively," A trader at the market popularly known as 'Mama' Akinyi said.
When I gave 'Mama' Akinyi Sh50 for a tin of 'omena', she flatly refused and handed me back my money stating Sh50 cannot get me' omena' in Athi River's main market.