This archive report was first published on 6 August 2020.
Lemon Prices Soar in Nairobi Amid Corona Era ¶
As the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, a peculiar trend has emerged in Nairobi: lemons have become the hottest commodity in town.
According to vendors, the price of lemons has increased sixfold, with one piece now averaging between Sh20 and Sh30. This is a far cry from the previous price of Sh3, which was the norm just a few months ago.
At the Nairobi bus station, Judith Mwikali, a fruit vendor, is struggling to meet the ever-growing demand for lemons. 'Even suppliers now know lemons are having an extremely high demand,' she said in an interview.
George Anangwe, a fruits and vegetables vendor in Roysambu, said people are now making early orders for lemons, willing to pay as much as Sh40 for a piece as long as it's ripe and juicy.
At the Nairobi city centre, eateries have started making 'dawa', a concoction of ginger, lemon, and honey, which customers believe can cure coronavirus.
However, medics have dismissed the myth that taking lemon concoctions helps in fighting the virus, saying it could actually be what's aiding the spread of the virus.
Scientists attribute the increased uptake of citrus fruits globally to a viral post on social media where a Chinese doctor was recorded saying he has received feedback from people who say they are getting immune to the virus after drinking lemon water.
