This archive report was first published on 21 April 2020.
Kitengela Businesses Reel as Travel Restrictions Cut Off Supplies ¶
Kitengela, a satellite town in Kajiado County, has been severely impacted by the travel restrictions imposed by President Uhuru Kenyatta in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease. The restrictions have cut off the town's supplies, bringing business activities to a near standstill.
Located off the Nairobi-Mombasa highway and nearly 40 kilometers from the city center, Kitengela has benefited from the rapid growth of the capital city in recent years. Private universities, major banks, cement factories, high-end schools, and hospitals have set up shop in the area. However, the travel restrictions have made it difficult for traders and business owners to operate.
"It is bad, very bad. Some of us used to operate during the night, taking advantage of people going to and leaving pubs and other places of entertainment. I used to have many customers from Isinya and Kajiado. Now I cannot cross over," says Julius Karanga, a bodaboda rider in the town.
Mr. Karanga, who owns three motorcycles, used to make an average of Sh1,000 on a bad day. However, with the travel restrictions in place, he has seen his earnings plummet to Sh150 on a good day. "When you take away Sh50 for petrol, I’m left with Sh100. Can that feed my family?" he asked.
Other traders, like Eric Chege, a dealer in machine-cut building stones, have also been affected by the travel restrictions. "We source our stones from Thika and our sand from Kajiado. Now, these borders are barricaded," said Mr. Chege. He added that the travel restrictions have made it difficult for him to sell his products, with one consignment taking even three days to sell.
Greengrocers, popularly known as mama mbogas, have also not been spared. One fruit seller, Virgi, said the travel restrictions have affected supplies, with her distributors hiking prices. She has, in turn, been forced to transfer the extra cost to her customers.
Furniture dealers have also felt the ravages of the coronavirus pandemic. Joseph Muthumbi, the director of Juvan Furniture, said sales have reduced by around 40 per cent. He added that most of his customers are from Isinya and Kajiado, but they can no longer come to town.
At Ujenzi Hypermarket, a Twyford tiles distributor, business has tanked greatly, with sales taking almost a 70 per cent hit, the owner said. With the producer of the tiles locked away in Kajiado, and with the distributor unable to cross the Kajiado weighbridge, their stores are running out of stock.
