Tuesday October 26, 2021
Trash and debris-filled roads make it difficult to shop comfortably in Eastleigh, one of Kenya's largest shopping districts. HOL
Nairobi (HOL)- There is disquiet amongst traders and business people who operate in Eastleigh due to a garbage menace affecting local business.
A spot check by Hiiraan Online revealed how most of the roads are muddy and full of garbage which even makes maneuvering within the largest Somali business outlet in Nairobi unnecessarily tricky.
On Eastleigh's first Avenue, just between Hongkong and Bangkok buildings, the road is full of mud and garbage.
Traders and business people who spoke to HOL said their circumstances are difficult but worsen when it rains.
"The road has been this bad since the year started, and efforts to make things better have not borne any fruits despite holding meetings with our leaders," Ahmed Ali, who operates a clothing business on the premises, said.
He said the unsanitary conditions are bad for business, as customers opt not to shop because it is always muddy.
"Whenever the rainy season is around the corner, my customers rarely come here, and I make less or no profits at all," Ali said.
Remarkably, the poor road conditions have spurred a new business in Eastleigh. Some people willing to traverse the mud-filled streets charge a small fee to carry people 'piggy-back style' across the road.
Abel Kimani said that whenever it is raining, the customers and traders usually want to be carried by a cart so that they don't become dirty.
Trash and debris-filled roads make it difficult to shop comfortably in Eastleigh, one of Kenya's largest shopping districts. HOL
"Such moments business is usually high, and we make a lot of money, in a trip of 30 meters, one person has to pay Sh300 (2.70$)," he said.
Another trader, Halima Abdi, appealed to the area MP Charles Njagua alias Jaguar to assist them in helping solve the recurring problem.
Abdi also echoed sentiments made by Ali that the situation is always worse whenever it is raining.
"The rains usually come with a lot of losses in the business sector within Eastleigh as most customers do not come to purchase goods," she said.
However, cart and trolley pushers in Eastleigh said that their business is usually high during the rainy season.