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Eastleigh hawkers' night market: The thriving nightly hustle

Hawkers along Eastleigh's Jam Street. (Photo Abdirahman Khalif)

By Patel Okumu | 05 Dec 2023

As the sun begins to dip below the horizon, Eastleigh, Nairobi, undergoes a huge transformation with the emergence of hawkers lining the streets. This nightly spectacle unfolds along the entrance of shopping malls and along General Waruinge street, Jam Street and First Avenue creating a busy market atmosphere that draws both buyers and challenges for shop owners.

As the sun begins to dip below the horizon, Eastleigh, Nairobi, undergoes a huge transformation with the emergence of hawkers lining the streets. This nightly spectacle unfolds along the entrance of shopping malls and along General Waruinge street, Jam Street, and First Avenue creating a busy market atmosphere that draws both buyers and challenges for shop owners.

From 6 pm to around 10 pm, the streets of Eastleigh witness a significant influx of hawkers who set up makeshift stalls, offering an array of goods ranging from clothing and accessories to household items. This phenomenon has become a regular occurrence, and the reasons behind this evening surge are as diverse as the products being sold.

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Hawkers displaying their wares along Jam Street. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)

For many hawkers, the evening provides a window of opportunity to attract customers who have finished their daily engagements and are ready for some leisurely shopping. The timing aligns with the convenience of potential buyers, making it a strategic period for these street vendors.

One hawker, Fatuma Ahmed, highlights the importance of the evening hours for her business. "Many people pass by after work, and I find the evening to be the best time to showcase my merchandise. It's when I make most of my sales," she says.

However, the influx of hawkers in the evening has not been without challenges. Shop owners, especially those situated along the streets, express concerns about the hawkers blocking the entrance of their shops. Ahmed Yusuf, a shop owner in one of the malls, notes, "While I understand they are trying to make a living, it becomes a problem when their stalls obstruct our entrance. It affects our business."

Conversely, some shop owners view the evening hawkers as an additional attraction for potential customers. Magool Ladan, who owns a boutique in one of the malls, says, "The evening crowd brings more people to the area. Although it can get congested, it also means more foot traffic for our shops."

The big malls in Eastleigh, such as Bangkok Mall and Yare Towers, often find their entrances surrounded by hawkers, creating a vibrant yet challenging commercial landscape. Yusuf Haji (First Avenue) Street, a busy lane, becomes a hub of activity during these evening hours, as buyers navigate through the diverse offerings of the street vendors.

Despite the mixed reactions, the evening hawkers have become an integral part of Eastleigh's economic dynamics. The streets, filled with a cacophony of voices, bargaining, and laughter, underscore the resilience and determination of these entrepreneurs to make a living in the busy urban set-up.