Traders record losses as commodity prices double

By Hezron Ochiel

Kisumu, Kenya: Most commodity prices in Kisumu County have doubled following implementation of new traffic rules.

Traders operating in major markets within the county were hit by commodity shortage, occasioned by transport challenge, pushing up prices.

In Jubilee Market, the price of 2kg of beans shot to Sh400 from Sh200 while groundnuts rose to Sh400 from Sh300.

“We are suffering and business is very low. We are forced to increase prices but nobody wants to buy at higher prices,” said Florence Ogutu, a groceries trader.

At the fish market, it was the same story. The market that is usually full of fish was nearly empty with only a dozen traders selling the commodity.

“I used to supply fish to Mombasa worth Sh10,000 but now, I have nothing to supply,” said Erick Omollo, a fish trader. The traders said the new regulations have forced them to gather their products in a common pool and later transport the same by lorries to the market.

“But sometimes such transport is not available. Things are very tough on our side,” said David Odiwuor, a fish trader.

At the busy bus station, there were only a few PSV to ferry stranded passengers to various destinations, pushing fares up.

To travel from Kisumu to Nairobi, passengers had to dig deep into their pockets and parted with Sh2,000 up from Sh1,000.

Matatu owners have accused the Government of creating a crisis in the sector to benefit a few well-connected people.

“There are a few people who want to throw us out of business. They have put strict measures for us to fail and take advantage. If the Government was genuine, they ought to have done it in stages,” said Ramadhan Shuaib, a matatu owner.

The jua kali sector was not left out either. At the Kibuye jua kali market, the artisans who relied on PSV carriers were left without business.