This is a business that the 44 years old mother of six, has mastered over many years enabling her to cultivate a solid following among her clientele. 

But the unmatched violence that rocked the country, after the general elections results were announced, has brought her business to its knees. 

The recent signing of the Peace Deal between President Mwai Kibaki and ODM Chair, Raila Odinga signals the dawn of a new chapter for Kenya and for her.

“Last year was the best for my business of more than 10 years. The campaign period was good for business and I sold a lot of food. Fruits made the highest sales; people on the campaign trail have the habit of buying fruits from sellers they meet on their way.

 But after the general elections results were announced, I lost all the profit I had made.

 I normally buy potatoes and peas, which form the largest portion of my business, from traders in Rift Valley. This has not been a problem because we have established networks that facilitate efficiency.

Before the violence erupted, a bag of potatoes would go for about Ksh 1,000 and when the market is really bad, Ksh 1,500. But at the moment, the same bag is going for about Ksh 3,200 and sometimes 3,500 .That has put me between a rock and a hard place. 

I don’t know how to price my potatoes anymore. Furthermore, getting products from the Rift Valley is a nightmare. 

And that is not all, things like peas would go for Ksh 1,000 a bag but as we speak you cannot get the same bag for less than Ksh 2,000. As a trader, I don’t know what to sell. 

I am no longer making any profit because, when I analyze the sales made, they barely cover expenses incurred.  My customers were mostly professionals who come from other parts of the country.But most of them have left town and this has put a huge dent in my business. 

Besides selling goods in Kiambu, I would make extra money selling to a Hindu community in Nairobi’s Pangani estate. I no longer see them these days. I hear they sought refuge at their relatives’ homes in other parts of Nairobi. 

These are difficult times for business people, but we still wake up early in the morning to open our business. 

This for me is just a cloud, and as you know, every dark cloud lives a silver lining. It only a matter and will be up on my feet again.” 

The story of Lucia Wanjiru

Lucia Wambui

Although her business is far from the vibrant nature it used to be, Lucia Wanjiku is slowly rising from her losses. 

At the Nakuru bus stop you will find many business people inviting customers to try their wares, among them is 57 year-old Lucia Wanjiru. 

Wanjiru sells bags for a living and the income has sustained her over many years, enabling the widow to put food on the table. However, the post-election violence has dealt her business a hard blow.

She tells her own story:

“I lost my husband in the 1992 ethnic clashes. It was a tough year for me, transforming from being a wife to a widow is a woman’s worst nightmare.

The worry of what will become of your children is always on your mind. But I started a small business right here in Nakuru. 

I would make very little money but my two children never went hungry, the fear that they could end up on the street like many children I saw around me always made me work even harder.

As years went by, my business picked up and it begun bringing in a significant profit.

However, my business has really suffered the effects of post-election violence. I chose this location because I can sell to travelers.

It’s a very strategic position, but very few people have been traveling after the general elections results were announced.

And even now that roads have opened up, people are still cautious. Buses no longer travel at night, the business has had to struggle against that challenge.

This shows you just how far the situation is from stabilizing in a way that is healthy for business. Such an situation has made it difficult for those who depend on me for their livelihoods.

Nevertheless, despite the fact that I make very little profit, quitting is not a word I entertain.  I have survived many odds, and this too, shall pass.”

The Story of Ann Mumbi and Leah Wandia

Ann Mumbi and Leah Wandia are both HIV positive mothers; ever since they discovered their HIV status, life for them has not been a walk in the park.

Despite the challenges of living with the virus, these women have fought their daily battles to rise above their predicament.

Although the recent post-election violence attempted to shatter their lives, they have refused to succumb to it.

“I keep telling myself that I have lost neither hands, nor feet, what should stop me from starting again?” poses 35-year-odl Mumbi.

“I refuse to sit back and let this situation destroy what I have built so painstakingly, even if it’s just the self –confidence that has seen me through traumatizing stigmatization.”

Her sentiments are echoed by Wandia who says that, although life has not been a bed of roses since skirmishes pervaded many parts of the country, for her, it’s just one more challenge to overcome on her path to a brighter future.

“This are difficult times, and the hopelessness at the challenge of rebuilding a life once had is depressing, but I will take each day as it comes,” Wandia says optimistically.

“I will grab opportunity that present itself and rise above this destruction.”

Such determination to overcome the odd belies what these women have gone through.

Mumbi was tested HIV positive around June last year, but her husband has remained a source of inspiration and support.

This cost him his job for getting to work late when she was too sick and needed his support and care. With no source of income, Mumbi started washing clothes people as a way of eking a living.

In a day she makes Ksh 150. This is the same that is enabling them gone through the rough times brought about by election violence.

Her story is not any different from Wandia, who found she was HIV positive last year. She too washes clothes for people to earn a living for children, herself and her jobless husband.

The problem now is some of the people who used to offer constant work have relocated to other places. Despite these challenges, she is still determined to rise from the ashes.