A shortage of maize, milk and other commodities has hit markets in north Rift Valley with prices rising due to a slow down in business.Vegetable, onions and fruits suppliers failed to resume business after Monday's elections.
A Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry official Charles Mose said the delayed results had affected
business. "The markets are picking up slowly and the situation has pushed prices upwards in some areas," said Mose.
A 90-kilo bag of maize retailed at Sh3,400, while milk sold for Sh55 a litre, an increase from Sh50 per litrr last week.Prices of onions and fruits also shot up by more than 30 per cent in Eldoret, Kitale and Kapsabet. Onions and fruits are usually transported from Kerio Valley and other areas to markets in Eldoret and other urban centres. However, supply has not been smooth since last Sunday.
Supermarkets and other shops which closed down to allow workers vote reopened but reported low trading.Eldoret, Kapsabet and other major towns in North Rift remained halfway deserted as most people failed to resume work.
Leading supermarkets, including Tuskys, Nakumatt and Naivas, resumed trading in most towns."It appears most people are not yet back and we are not seeing customers streaming in as usual", said Paul Waweru of Kaps stores in Eldoret said.
Some matatu operators charged higher fares on most routes.
“We expect normal businesses to resume later in the week after the political situation settles down, “ said Mose.Hotels and restaurants which had also shut down have also resumed full business but with low number of customers.Farmers fear that the prolonged elections environment may hurt planting of maize and other cereals this year causing a possible drop in production.
The government not yet imported fertiliser for use by farmers this year, raising fears in the agricultural sector.However, agriculture PS Romano Kiome has promised that the government was dealing with the matter and farmers should prepare for the planting season which starts later this month as soon as the shorts rains begin in most areas of the country.