Eastleigh bustles with Christmas shoppers as holiday season kicks off early

The number of shoppers visiting Eastleigh has been on the rise as many begin their Christmas shopping earlier than usual.

With more than 15 days to go before Christmas, thousands of buyers from across Kenya and other East African countries are already arriving in the area, seeking goods to purchase wholesale for their shops.

The influx of people has caused heavy traffic along Mohamed Yusuf Haji Avenue, where shoppers and vehicles, mainly matatus, compete for limited space. Other feeder roads in the area are facing similar congestion as the flow of people and vehicles continues to increase.

Streets crowded

The streets have become crowded, with pedestrians navigating carefully to avoid collisions while moving between shopping centres. Many shoppers are walking slowly due to the unusually high number of people on the roads.

The heavy traffic has made it difficult for both pedestrians and vehicles to move freely.

Despite the slow pace and congestion, traders in Eastleigh say the increase in shoppers is boosting their business.

Abdirahman Warsame, who sells clothes at Taysiir Shopping Complex, said this period is usually when they record high sales after experiencing slower business during other months of the year.

He explained that the Christmas season is especially important for traders because customers often buy in bulk, increasing daily earnings.

“Business is good this month of December, if you compare it with the early months of the year, business is booming now,” he said.

Some shoppers have travelled long distances to reach Eastleigh. Eric Kamala, who came from Budalang’i in Busia County, said he chose to travel to Nairobi because he finds clothes and other items in Eastleigh more affordable than elsewhere in the country.

He noted that finding the right goods can be challenging because many other traders also come to buy from the same area, creating competition that sometimes makes certain items scarce when demand is high.

Despite the challenge, he remains determined to get what he needs for his business and encourages other buyers to take advantage of the opportunities available in Eastleigh.

“I am very happy shopping from here, and so is everyone, because things are affordable here. We are going to succeed,” he said.

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• Mohamed Yusuf Haji Avenue
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• Eastleigh bustles with Christmas shoppers as holiday season kicks off early
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Quality of goods sold

Another shopper, Peter Ngumunu from Ruiru, said he expected large crowds in Eastleigh because many believe the quality of goods sold there is better than in other areas.

He said he has been shopping in Eastleigh for many years and has always found what he needs at prices that allow him to run his business smoothly.

Peter added that visiting Eastleigh during the Christmas period has become a routine for him, as it is the peak season when people buy clothing and other items for their families.

“This is my third year coming here, Eastleigh is always full of people, and the jam is crazy, everyone comes here to do shopping, especially for Christmas,” he said.

Some shop owners, however, have noticed a slight reduction in the number of shoppers compared with previous years. They said that while the crowds are still large, they are not as heavy as in earlier festive seasons.

Even so, hawkers and bus drivers in the area report increased earnings, as the number of customers using their services has grown alongside the influx of holiday shoppers.