Small scale traders in Kisumu County have raised alarm over poor sales and returns due the high cost of living in the country.
They claimed that the high inflation rates have eroded the purchasing power of most residents, making it difficult for both traders and their customers to afford basic goods.
Hamilton Omondi, a 29-year-old entrepreneur, at Kibuye market in Kisumu has been running the cereal business for several years, weathering the storms of fluctuating market prices and evolving consumer behavior.
However, Omondi laments that the recent surge in inflation has dealt him a harsh blow, threatening the viability of his business. "The cost of goods has been rising sharply, while customer spending has reduced significantly, basic commodities like maize, beans, groundnut, greengrams are now beyond the reach of many of my regular customers, this has led to a significant drop in sales reducing profits," he said during an exclusive interview with KNA at Kibuye market.
