Small-scale traders at Kisumu’s Jubilee Market have decried the rising transport costs for goods and commodities which threatens to push them out of business.
This coupled with the high cost of living has seen the number of customers drop as local vendors struggle to get a share of the cake.
Daisy Achieng, a vegetable vendor at the market said the cost of transporting goods to the market has soared in recent months, a burden that has hit local farmers and artisans.
Most of the traders at the market, she said were finding it difficult to sustain their businesses, as profit margins shrink amidst rising expenses.
“Transport cost has risen drastically with many of the delivery service providers now forced to double their charges. We are barely making enough to cover the cost of bringing our products to the market. This has made it particularly challenging for those of us who sell perishable goods like vegetables,” she said.
Traffic to the market, she added has dropped significantly since Kisumu residents who are equally grappling with the high cost of living have changed shopping habits turning to supermarkets and large retail outlets that often offer cheaper goods and free access to parking lots.
“Some of our customers have opted to shop at supermarkets and retail shops which do not charge any parking fees. Additionally, most of the goods at the wholesales are sold at cheaper price compared to our market prices. Our prices are slightly higher to enable us cover the cost of bringing our products to the market,” she said.
To break even, she said, traders were now offering discounts on various goods and commodities further eating into their small profit margins.
The growing dominance of supermarkets and large-scale traders, she said was taking a hit on local traders at the market since they offer attractive bargains on various commodities.
The county government is facing increasing pressure from the vendors to offer support, whether through subsidies, reduced transportation fees, or policies that promote locally produced goods.
Vendors at the market have called for urgent interventions, warning that many of them were at risk of going out of business if help doesn’t come soon.
The traders asked the county government to promote local products to give a lifeline to the struggling market vendors.
According to Achieng, the initiative requires a coordinated effort from both the government and the private sector to be successful.
She encouraged consumers to buy local to protect livelihoods and sustain Jubilee Market’s crucial role in Kisumu’s economy.
The Market has long been a backbone of the local economy, supporting thousands of livelihoods.
The potential loss of these businesses could have a ripple effect, impacting not only the traders but also the wider community that relies on the market for affordable goods and employment opportunities.
By Ouma Zakayo
