Businesses in Eastleigh recorded low customer turnout on Thursday as ongoing demonstrations in different parts of Nairobi kept many shoppers away from one of the city's main commercial centres.
Most shopping malls and businesses in the area opened their doors as usual in the morning, but traders reported a significant decline in the number of customers compared to normal business days.
Several shop owners said they had not made any sales by late morning, while others expressed concern that the situation was unlikely to improve as the day progressed.
Commercial buildings, including Bankog Mall, Yare Towers and Tasnim Mall, were operating normally, with shopkeepers reporting to work and businesses remaining open despite the demonstrations taking place elsewhere in the city.
However, the usually crowded streets of Eastleigh presented a different picture, with major roads that are often packed with vehicles and pedestrians remaining largely quiet throughout the morning.
Mohamed Yusuf Haji Avenue and General Wariungi Street, which normally experience heavy traffic from shoppers, traders and transport vehicles, were largely free of congestion as fewer people travelled into the area.
Public transport services were also affected, with only a few matatus operating between Eastleigh and Nairobi's Central Business District. Several matatu stages that are normally busy had only a handful of vehicles, reflecting the reduced movement of people across the city.
The impact of the demonstrations was also visible among informal traders who usually begin their business activities early in the day. Hawkers who commonly sell various goods along the stretch between Yare Towers and Sunrise Mall were absent, with many choosing not to set up their stalls.
Shopkeepers who spoke to Eastleigh Voice said they understood why customers were staying away, noting that demonstrations often discourage people from travelling into business districts due to concerns over transport disruptions and security.
Mohamed Hassan, a trader who sells men's clothing at Yare Towers, said business had been unusually slow and that he had not recorded any sales by late morning.
"Maandamano is affecting businesses because customers will stay away or will not have the means to come to Eastleigh," he said.
He noted that on a normal day, he would have already served several customers by that time, adding that he did not expect business activity to improve significantly during the remainder of the day.
A similar situation was reported by many other traders across Eastleigh, with several shop owners saying they had not sold any goods by the time of publication.
Some business operators also called for an end to the demonstrations, arguing that they have continued to negatively affect traders and other business owners who depend on daily sales for their income.
"Most of these Maandamanos hurt business, others are looted, while others get to sell nothing; they should be called off," said Abdirahman Ibrahim, a bag seller operating near Eastleigh Social Hall.
Security presence in the area remained visible throughout the morning. Along Mohamed Yusuf Haji Avenue, several armed police officers were deployed and were seen monitoring the situation as authorities sought to prevent any security incidents and respond to any demonstrations that might emerge within Eastleigh.
The demonstrations taking place in Nairobi and other parts of the country have been organised by protesters demanding justice for more than 80 people who were killed and dozens of others who were injured during the 2024 anti-tax demonstrations and the anniversary protests held last year.
While Eastleigh itself remained calm and businesses stayed open, traders said the reduced movement of customers highlighted the economic impact that demonstrations can have on commercial activities even in areas where no protests are taking place.
As the day continued, many business owners remained at their shops waiting for customers, hoping that trading activity would improve despite the disruptions caused by the ongoing protests across Nairobi.
Comments
Sign in with Google to comment, reply, and like comments.
Continue with Google