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Chilly weather becomes light at the end of the tunnel

According to climatologists, extremely cold weather dipping to lows of 11°Celsius at night, fog and drizzles occurring in most parts of the country will last for seven days.

It is around 7.20 am in the morning and most people in Nyeri are in a hurry to reach their work places on time.

And there is a one conspicuous thing in common, everyone is heavily dressed to keep warm against the chilly conditions.

Apart from struggling with the high cost of living, residents have to make ends meet despite the punitive weather.

But a spot check conducted by KNA in Nyeri town, revealed that the weather is a windfall of sorts for some residents.

Andrew Mwangi, a boutique owner in Nyeri says that his business is seeing better days due to the current high demand for warm clothing.

“I specialize in selling trench coats and jackets which are very vital especially during this cold season resulting in high demand. The current price of a trench coat ranges from Sh1, 500 to Sh3, 000 depending on the quality.

The jackets cost from Sh900 to Sh1, 200 depending on the size as they are of the same texture. Though the prices are not fixed to leave room for a bargain,” said Mwangi.

He further notes that despite the increased prices owing to the current inflation, many clients are streaming to his boutique ultimately boosting his business.

“Actually, since the cost of living took an upward trajectory, I thought there would be few clients as many Kenyans are prioritizing meeting their immediate needs. My suppliers hiked the cost of stock, which translated, into the current prices. However, I am grateful that there are many customers despite these challenges,” he says.

Beth Njagi, a business woman at Kamakwa trading center, opines that the damp weather motivated her to add umbrellas and gumboots to her stock.

She states that her living standards have improved impressively due to impressive sales owing to the current high demand by Kamakwa residents, most of whom are farmers.

“A month ago, I dealt with household items only, being exactly when this cold season started catching up. I noted that most of my friends who reside here at Kamakwa were traveling to Nyeri town to buy umbrellas. That is when this idea of selling these items popped up in my mind. Bearing a positive mind, I did not hesitate to venture into dealing with gumboots and umbrellas. Currently, gumboots are selling for Sh600 for medium duty boots and Sh1000 for heavy duty type while umbrellas are selling at Sh790 for all season branded and Sh1, 200 for big King Collection umbrellas. The prices have gone up but I am trying to make them more affordable to my clients,” says Njagi.

A coffee vendor in Nyeri town who sought anonymity, says despite being an unemployed graduate, she is still able to put food on the table as her business is booming.

She adds that the next government should look for a way to cushion graduates as they seek employment.

“I never imagined that I could thrive in this business. I am excited for this adventure because I am able to sustain myself and my little sister. Coffee is best for warming up during these chills.

At first, I was very depressed because of the mentality that graduating from university is an automatic gateway to secure a job. I have learnt that we ought to be courageous, determined and open- minded to try out various alternatives instead of indulging in drug abuse and other criminal acts. The Government intervention in the youth welfare is crucial too,” she noted.

On July 20 this year, Nyeri Emergency Medical services warned drivers and bodaboda riders to be extra vigilant while driving in foggy weather due to blurred vision, during the current cold weather experienced in the county.

The frigid temperatures being experienced are expected because August is the coldest month of the year and the high topography of Nyeri.

According to recent weather forecasts from the County Director of Meteorological Services office, Nyeri is expected to experience rainfall and cloudy conditions for the next six days with temperatures ranging between 19 degrees centigrade to 11 degrees centigrade.

By Samuel Maina and Leah Methu

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