Home / Business

Food prices in Coast region rise as heavy rainfall impacts transportation

Irene Mtegi, a trader at Kongowea market, selling onions. (Photo: Mishi Gongo)

By Mishi Gongo | 04 May 2024

Traders at Kongowea market in Mombasa attribute the price surge to the rainy weather, which has made transportation of commodities to the county challenging.

Prices of farm produce in the Coastal region have soared as heavy rains persist, impacting major food-producing counties across the nation.

Residents in Kwale and Mombasa counties have voiced concerns over the steep price hikes since the rainy season began.

Keep reading

Aspotcheck by The Eastleigh Voice at Kongowea market on Saturday revealed that staples like potatoes, tomatoes, onions, kales, carrots, cucumbers, and certain fruits have doubled in price compared to January.

Traders at Kongowea market in Mombasa attribute the price surge to the rainy weather, which has made transportation of commodities to the county challenging. They note that as farmers face losses due to crop destruction as a result of heavy rains in recent months, the prices of vegetables and fruits have steadily risen.

Peter Nyaga, chairman of the potatoes section, explains that they are compelled to sell at higher prices due to transportation challenges caused by impassable roads.

"Roads have become impassable due to heavy rains, causing delays in delivering produce to the Coast," says Nyaga.

Nyaga sources his potatoes from Nyandarua, one of the 33 counties affected by the rains, and notes that the cost of a small sack of potatoes has risen from Sh3,000 in January to Sh7,500.

"We are incurring losses due to the rains, and if they don't stop, potatoes will start rotting in the farms," he adds.

Cabbages at Kongowea Market in Mombasa. (Photo: Mishi Gongo)

Customers like Halima Fadhili express dismay at the skyrocketing prices, with tomatoes now priced at Sh15 each and onions at Sh200 per kilo, up from Sh65 in January.

"The cost of living has worsened due to the ongoing rains," said Halima.

Aisha Mwasene from Kwale County highlights similar sentiments, urging the county government to provide assistance to vulnerable families.

"Vendors are taking advantage of the rains to hike prices," she says, calling for government intervention.

Ramla Ali echoes these sentiments, urging the government to regulate prices to prevent exploitation by traders.

"Some traders are taking advantage of the situation, not all counties have been affected so increasing food prices is not fair to us," she said.

Several regions across Kenya, including Central, Rift Valley, Western, Lake Victoria Basin, and Eastern, have been affected by floods, exacerbating the challenges faced by residents.