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Economic woes cast shadow over Eid-ul-Adha shopping at Marikiti

Some Muslim women shop at Marikiti Market. (Photo: Mishi Gongo)

By Mishi Gongo | Saturday, June 15, 2024

A spot check through the market by The Eastleigh Voice reporter saw most stalls deserted, with only a few people walking through.

As Muslims prepare to mark Eid-ul-Adha celebrations tomorrow, businesspersons selling clothes are decrying low customer turnout compared to last year.

Typically, the MacKinnon market, known to many as Marikiti Market, would be a beehive of activity today. However, this year, the streets of the market are deserted, with only a handful of customers making purchases.

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Marikiti, a clothes and food market, serves locals from Kilifi, Kwale, and Mombasa counties.

Abdirazack Arwa, who sells children's clothes, says business is low compared to previous Eid celebrations, where they would record a boom in their sales.

"The celebration is tomorrow, but our stocks are still at 75 per cent. By this time, we would have ordered new stock due to the demand," said Abdirazack.

Another trader, Salim Ali, who deals with ladies' clothes, said they are struggling to sell their products this year.

"We are having a very low turnout of customers, and the few coming want to buy clothes at very low prices. You tell a customer a dress is Sh4,500, but they bargain and want it at Sh2,000 or even less," he said.

A spot check through the market by The Eastleigh Voice reporter saw most stalls deserted, with only a few people walking through.

Aliyah Muhsin, a customer, said the economy is forcing them to make minimal purchases.

Abdirazack Arwa attending to women in his shop where he sells children's clothes. (Photo: Mishi Gongo)

According to Muslim culture, during Eid celebrations, the faithful adorn new clothes and eat good food as it was the Prophet Muhammad's Sunnah.

"I have five children. This year, I have only managed to buy them a pair each, unlike other Eids where I could buy them even three pairs of clothes each," she said.

Another customer, Ali Mubarak, lamented the tough economy, saying that he had to change the Eid menu. "I have not been able to slaughter an animal. We have agreed to cook white rice instead of biryani, which is costly," he said.

The saloons and beauty parlours are also less populated. During Eid, women would flock to saloons and beauty parlours to beautify themselves, but this year, only a few women have visited these places.

The women who talked to The Eastleigh Voice blamed the tough economy for the situation.

"Food prices have been hiked. We cannot beautify ourselves when we do not know what to eat," said Fauzia Rajab, a local in Mombasa.

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