Eastleigh businesses closed early on Tuesday amid protests in Nairobi

Despite regular daytime operations, many businesses in Eastleigh closed earlier than usual on Tuesday. Malls and shops that mostly remain open until late shut their doors early due to few customers.

Street vendors on Yusuf Haji Avenue did not set up their stalls, leaving the street unusually quiet.

By 7 pm, Yusuf Haji Avenue resembled a ghost town with minimal movement and activity.

The number of people on the usually bustling Mohamed Yusuf Haji Street was significantly lower. This street, often busy in the evening, saw only a few people moving around.

M-Pesa and electronic shops on Yusuf Haji Avenue, which normally stay open until midnight, also closed early. A few hawkers were still operating their businesses at 7 pm, but their presence was sparse.

Osman Farah, a trader at Eastleigh Social Hall, told the Eastleigh Voice on the phone that he closed his wholesale clothes shop early due to a lack of customers.

Most stalls belonging to hawkers did not operate on Tuesday. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)

Osman attributed the low customer turnout to the protests in Nairobi. "Everyone closed early today because business was slow, and the number of customers was low because of the protests in Nairobi. Hopefully, things will be better tomorrow," he said.

Jonathan Choge, a fruit hawker on Ninth Street on Yusuf Haji Avenue, decided to continue working despite considering closing. He noted that he wanted to maximise on his sales as business was not good during the day.

"When I saw everyone closing, I wanted to do so too, but again I had to take a risk and continue operating," he said.

In contrast, businesses on Second Avenue operated normally late into the night.

Eastleigh was busy with activities earlier in the day, with most malls and shops open.

Shopping malls such as Bangkok, Amal, Yare, Day to Day, and Tasnim maintained regular operations.

Public transport services, including matatus serving Eastleigh and its surrounding routes, were also fully operational. Major restaurants in the area continued to serve their patrons.

Shops on Yare Plaza closed unusually early. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)

Omar Ahmed, the Organising Secretary of the EBDA, expressed confidence in the security situation while speaking to Eastleigh Voice. He stated that they did not anticipate any demonstrations or incidents of insecurity in the area.

"It's business as usual in Eastleigh, shops and malls are open, and as you can see matatus are also operating. We don't expect any insecurity or demonstrations," he said.

He added that they were prepared to address any potential security issues, although he hoped such incidents would not occur.

"We are also ready to deal with any insecurity issues if they arise, but hopefully nothing of that sort will happen. The officers are ready to deal with anyone seen disturbing the peace," Omar noted.