Economic pressures fuel second-hand textbook rush in Eastleigh

A surge in textbook sales has been witnessed in the last four days as parents flock to secure educational materials for their children in Eastleigh. Thousands of parents have been thronging the area, particularly moving towards vendors who display textbooks on the streets, resulting in a notable boost in sales for these sellers.

The key allure for parents seems to be the competitive pricing offered by these street vendors, primarily dealing in second-hand books, in contrast to the relatively higher prices found in established bookshops. This affordability factor has been a major driver behind the preference for these vendors, despite considerable foot traffic also being observed in traditionally established bookstores.

Dickson Mwangi, one of the vendors stationed in front of Madina Mall, expressed surprise at the overwhelming demand, noting that he was swiftly running out of stock due to the sheer number of customers seeking books for their children. "There are so many; I'm running out of stock to satisfy all of them," he remarked, highlighting the unexpected volume of customers.

Parents buying books from a seller at Ibgaro 1 Plaza in Eastleigh.

Suldana Abdi, a mother accompanied by her sixth-grade son, emphasized the financial strain experienced by families, forcing them to opt for second-hand books. "The economy is hard; I have to settle for these second-hand books," she shared, echoing the sentiments of many parents struggling with economic challenges.

Fatuma Jele, purchasing textbooks for a form three student, highlighted the equality in content between new and second-hand books while highlighting the substantial price disparity. "Whether new or old, the books have the same content, but the prices are way different," Fatuma commented, shedding light on the practicality of opting for more affordable options in challenging economic times.

This trend of seeking cost-effective educational materials reflects the broader economic pressures faced by families. With schools recently reopening across Kenya after the long December holiday period, the demand for textbooks has surged, albeit with most schools reporting slightly higher-than-average student reporting back.