Demos bring mixed fortunes for small traders and farmers

As the Gen Z-led anti-government protests yesterday disrupted business operations and farming routine, some small-scale traders recorded higher sales.

Esther Karimi usually starts her day at 5.30 am, heading to Wakulima Market to buy fruits, onions and tomatoes for her small grocery shop in Mihango estate.

But yesterday, she was up by 4.00 am for fear of being caught up in the Gen Z demonstrations that disrupted daily activities in Nairobi and other major towns across the country.

“I was worried the roads would be blocked, or there’d be chaos. I had to leave very early,” she said.

But despite the inconvenience, Karimi found a silver lining. With many Nairobi residents working from home or skipping work altogether, her grocery sales increased.

“By midday, I had already sold almost half of my stock, which is unusual,” she said.

On a typical day, she makes about Sh3,000. By noon, she had already pocketed nearly Sh2,000, something she attributed to the demonstrations keeping people at home.

Her experience mirrors that of many small-scale traders across urban areas. While demonstrations often bring disruption and fear, some informal businesses, particularly those dealing in food, saw a spike in demand when those that work in towns stayed home.

In Utawala, Rose Ouma, a fishmonger who sources her stock from Gikomba Market, left earlier than usual to avoid inconvenience.

“I was afraid of getting caught up in running battles or blocked roads. I had to be at the market before anything escalated,” she said.

Meanwhile, in rural areas, the impact of the protests is more disruptive than beneficial.

Irene Wanjugu, a tea farmer in Karatina, chose not to pick her tea due to fear of encountering protesters on the road to the factory.

“After picking, tea must be delivered to the factory the same day. I decided not to risk it. But now I’ll have to work twice as hard tomorrow to make up for it,” she explained.

A September 2024 Agriculture Survey by the Central Bank of Kenya cited the countrywide protests as a significant factor affecting both wholesale and retail food prices.

The study, which assessed price drivers for selected food items, pointed to transport costs, market accessibility and supply chain disruptions as the key influencers.

“The relatively subdued role of supply chain disruptions in the September 2024 survey reflects the waning impact of the earlier protests linked to the Finance Bill, 2024, which had disrupted supply chains in July,” the report noted.

The survey also noted the end of the protests improved optimism about the performance of the agriculture sector and the broader economy.

Protest-related road blockages were found to prevent farmers from accessing markets, leading to spoilage and income loss. In addition, transportation costs tend to rise during unrest due to road closures, detours and fuel price volatility.