Nairobi Businesses Back To Open As Life Begins To Go Back To Normal

Five days after Kenyans cast their ballots, daily life in Nairobi is gradually returning to normal.

On Sunday, August 14, many Nairobi residents left their homes to follow custom and visit their regular places of worship.

“I did vote, which is my democratic right, and now I am waiting or the final announcement by the IEBC,” Harriet Akinyi who resides in Nairobi’s Eastland area told Wananchi Reporting.

“Meanwhile, I go to church for spiritual nourishment like I have always done,” she said.

“Life is returning to normal, I can see many people getting out, and more businesses are opening, not like a few days ago,” she added.

Indeed a number of businesses are opening their doors now– after remaining closed on August 9, 10 and 11 – even spilling into the early parts of the weekend – Friday.

“Some of the business owners travelled to their home villages to vote, and are yet to return, like my next door neighbour,” Viviane Machogu, a shopkeeper in Umoja told Wananchi Reporting.
Nearly a week before the election on August 9, many Kenyans hurried to stockpile food, causing an unusual shortage of cooking flour just hours after the government announced it was decreasing the price of 2 kg of cooking flour from Sh250 to Sh100.

With so few stores opening during this time, some locals, particularly those without any supplies of food or other essential items, had to dig even further into their pockets to get these items.

“I did my shopping at the start of the month of August because I knew would spend most of my time indoors during and after the voting, but now I have run out of stock and we have to go out to buy,” Adeline Wambui said.
Wambui claimed that after seeing events on television, she went out and purchased a bundle of cooking flour, six liters of cooking oil, sugar, soap, and other cereals. She also claimed that for over four days, she scarcely left her living room.

Due to quiet markets and a limited supply from the countryside, most groceries in Nairobi have also seen a decline in customer traffic.