Eastleigh

Business slows in Eastleigh after festive Eid season ends

Muslims shop for Eid al-Fitr celebrations in Eastleigh, Nairobi, on April 8, 2024. (Photo: Ahmed Shafat)

By Abdirahman Khalif | Monday, April 15, 2024

A vibrant business atmosphere was witnessed in the last 10 days of Ramadan, during which Eastleigh welcomed thousands of shoppers.

Business activities in Eastleigh have taken a downturn following the conclusion of the festive season.

A vibrant business atmosphere was witnessed in the last 10 days of Ramadan, during which the business hub welcomed thousands of shoppers from Nairobi and beyond, who needed various items for Eid celebrations.

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The busy streets, particularly Yusuf Haji Road, witnessed heavy traffic jams, and shops were abuzz with customers.

Since Saturday, however, a significant decline has been observed in terms of both foot traffic and sales, with retailers reporting fewer customers.

Ayan Ali, who runs a men's clothing shop at Tawfiq Shopping Mall, spoke of a stark contrast between the periods, saying, "I am not making anything. Everything has become slow since we celebrated Eid."

Farah Abdullahi, a clothes vendor at Yare Towers, shared Ayan's sentiments, saying, "What I was selling in one day during Eid is what I now sell in five days."

The slowdown has also affected the food and transport sectors, as well as hawkers.

Matatus which ply routes between the Nairobi central business district and Eastleigh have experienced a decrease in passengers, resulting in longer wait times to fill up vehicles.

Victor Kyalo, a matatu driver, said, "There are fewer people to transport so filling this matatu now takes much longer."

Hawkers are facing additional challenges brought on by the rain. It forces them to stop their trade and seek shelter, or reduces the number of customers, which further diminishes their earnings.

Eastleigh, one of Nairobi's largest markets, plays a significant role in the economy, contributing an estimated 35 per cent of Nairobi County's total annual revenue. This is according to Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, who toured the area in March.