Homabay Business Community decry high cost of merchandise

HOMA BAY, Kenya, Feb 27 -Business operators in Homa Bay County have asked the government to find ways of solving the problem of ever increasing food prices, currently being witnessed countrywide.  

They alleged that many of their businesses have been severely affected by the increase in food prices, which in turn might affect the economy.

Speaking to KNA, the Chairperson of Homa Bay Business Operators, Geoffrey Okoth alias Onduso, said that several businesses in the region have collapsed thereby interfering with individuals living standards.

“The business people are the backbone of our country’s economy and the high food prices have seen many operators closing their business and being forced to engage in unprofitable trade. The downfall of the businesses may ruin the economy of the country,” he said.

Business operators selling farm produce have also been affected as they experience lower sales with buyers having alternatives.

A business operator in the town, Rose Atieno, decried the upsurge in the prices of essential commodities, saying that they have a lot of dead stock in the market.

“Before, I would purchase a crate of tomatoes at Sh2, 000 but now a crate goes at Sh5, 000. The increase has doubled making it difficult to raise the amount. There is also a 50/50 chance of making profits from the sale,” she lamented.

On a good day, a crate of tomatoes would sell within 3 days contrary to the current situation where it takes 5 days to clear the stock and some of the tomatoes get spoilt because few people buy them at the current high market price, she added.

On the other hand, restaurant owners have also complained, saying that the situation has undermined their businesses because they now serve a relatively small number of customers contrary to the recent past.

They said that they are now incurring losses daily as they are prompted to increase the prices of their goods, limiting the number of customers coming in.

They called on the government to intervene and return the price control bodies and also to intervene to see the citizens live an affordable life.

Recently, Kenyans started an online campaign lamenting over the high food prices, while requesting the government, to move with speed and lower food prices.