Traders upbeat as reopened schools shore up demand
Reopening of schools after a 10-month break came with blessings as traders in Thika started to reap huge profits as learning institutions started to purchase goods in bulk.
Traders said maize and beans which are widely were in high demand despite high prices following a surge in demand.
A sack of maize that was going for Sh2,700 last week was retailing at between Sh3,000 to Sh3,500 while a sack of beans that is now going for Sh 8,000 compared to Sh6,500 a few days ago.
Traders says the prices could increase further due to low supply of the goods in the market.
Pandemic shocks
Esther Wambui Mwaura, a cereals trader at Jamhuri Market in Thika town said since the Covid-19 pandemic shocks forced closure of schools, their businesses have suffered huge losses.
But with reopening of schools, Wambui said they are very busy owing to the huge number of customers they have been attending since Monday.
Thika is strategically positioned and taps clients from the greater Central Kenya and beyond, exciting the local economy.
“There is no time to relax. We are now serving tens of schools. They are coming in buses and pick ups to make purchases.
Our business is back to normal and we celebrate the government’s bold move,” Wambui added.
“Business is back to normal now. We used to sell five or less sacks in a day but we are now selling even 20 sacks of different items.
We thank God even the economy could be headed in the right direction,” said Maina Wa Ndung’u.
The traders believe that reopening of schools is one of the major drivers of economic activities and it will increase the circulation of money in the economy.
