From sunrise to sundown: Inside Eastleigh business hub that never sleeps

Delivery trucks snake through narrow streets, traders lift their shutters, and thousands of shoppers stream into one of Kenya's busiest commercial districts, where fortunes are made—and increasingly tested—every single day.

By mid-morning, the commercial district is buzzing with activity as thousands of shoppers bargain for clothes, electronics, cosmetics, food and household items.

From First Avenue to 12th Street, Eastleigh is more than a marketplace—it is a symbol of ambition, resilience and opportunity. Every shop has a story, and behind every counter is an entrepreneur striving to build a better future.

For Abiba Aden, popularly known as Queen Bloom Beauty, henna artistry has transformed from a childhood passion into a thriving business.

"I have always loved beauty, creativity and making people feel confident. What started as applying henna for family and friends gradually grew into a business because people kept recommending my work," she says.

She chose Eastleigh because of its vibrant and culturally diverse community where henna remains an important part of weddings, Eid celebrations, engagements and other special occasions.

"My customers are mainly brides, wedding guests and young women preparing for religious and cultural celebrations. The most requested designs are bridal henna, Arabic patterns, Somali-inspired designs and Gulf styles," she explains.

Like many entrepreneurs, Abiba faces stiff competition, seasonal demand and the challenge of sourcing high-quality natural henna.

Despite the hurdles, she hopes to expand her brand, train young women interested in henna artistry and grow her business beyond Kenya.

Not every trader has experienced the same growth.

In Section 9, Brian James, who sells official shirts, says business has slowed considerably.

"I had hoped to achieve much more. Before, I could sell nearly 50 shirts, but now I hardly sell more than 10. Business has become difficult," he says.

A few streets away on 12th Street, egg vendor Jackson Kuli says rising living costs have affected customer spending.

"I sell one egg for Sh14 and also trays of eggs. Sometimes business is good, but other days people tell me they will come back tomorrow because they don't have money. The government should help because the cost of living is high," he says.

At Bangkok Shopping Centre, Hafso, who has been selling cosmetics and perfumes for the past two years, says income varies from one day to another.

"Some days I make good sales, while on other days business is slow, but Alhamdulillah we continue working," she says.

Nearby, electronics dealer Hussein points to high taxes and intense competition as the biggest challenges facing traders.

"Taxes are high and there is a lot of competition in the market. We have to work harder to attract customers," he says.

For Halima, who sells food along 12th Street, the business is about survival.

"Business is low, but we keep pushing because we have children to feed," she says.

Despite these challenges, Omar Ibrahim Hussein, Secretary General of the Eastleigh Business District Association, believes Eastleigh remains one of Kenya's strongest commercial centres.

"Business in Eastleigh is strong and continues to grow. The district has developed into a major commercial hub, supported by large-scale investments such as BBS Mall. These developments have created employment opportunities, generated government revenue and strengthened Eastleigh's position as a regional trading centre," he says.

THE NUMBERS

According to Hussein, there are about more than 25,000 shops and over 70 malls in Eastleigh, and the numbers keep growing.

"2024 alone saw hundreds of new businesses open, including new buildings like Waqaf Towers and Moon Plaza," Hussein says.

The Secretary General of the Eastleigh Business District Association further says the scale of Eastleigh’s economy is enormous.

"Governor Sakaja himself told the President directly that the economy of Eastleigh is larger than the economy of Rwanda — that is not my estimate; that is a statement made publicly by the Governor of Nairobi. When you consider the volume of trade moving through our malls every single day, from wholesale buyers to retail shoppers, you are looking at billions of shillings changing hands annually. This is one of the most active commercial economies in East Africa."

On the numbers of employment opportunities created in Eastleigh, Hussein says the area sustains an enormous workforce.

"We are talking about tens of thousands of people employed directly – as traders, shop attendants, tailors, transporters, and mall staff – and many more tens of thousands who depend on it indirectly, through the supply chains that bring in goods from China, Dubai and Turkey. When you add the boda boda riders, the porters, and the food vendors who feed this entire ecosystem, Eastleigh is one of the largest employment engines in Nairobi," Hussein said.

Hussein also said the business hub contributes close to 30 per cent of Nairobi County’s revenue, and on the national side, he says Eastleigh accounts for between 35 and 40 per cent of all tax collected by KRA in Nairobi.

"That is documented, not our estimate," Hussein said.

According to Hussein, Eastleigh plays a critical role in Kenya's economy by supporting thousands of livelihoods through wholesale and retail trade, transport, logistics and other service industries.

"Eastleigh attracts customers from across Kenya and neighbouring countries. It contributes significantly to government revenue through taxes and levies while facilitating regional commerce that strengthens the broader economy," he says.

However, he acknowledges that traffic congestion and unregulated street hawking continue to hinder business operations.

"The most significant challenge is traffic congestion, which affects the movement of people and goods. Addressing these issues requires coordinated efforts between traders and public authorities," he says.

On how many, shoppers visit Eastleigh daily, Hussein said, "The footfall in Eastleigh is constant, from early morning until late at night. We receive both retail shoppers from across Nairobi and bulk buyers who travel from as far as Tanzania to purchase in volume. On any given day, thousands upon thousands of people pass through our streets and malls — Eastleigh is, without question, one of the busiest trading destinations."

APPEAL AND THE FUTURE

Looking ahead, Hussein says technology is creating fresh opportunities for young entrepreneurs through e-commerce, digital marketing, logistics and online retail.

"Our vision is for Eastleigh to become a world-class commercial destination with modern infrastructure, enhanced investment and expanded economic opportunities. Continued growth will create employment, attract more investment and strengthen Eastleigh's reputation as a centre of entrepreneurship, innovation and inclusive economic development," he says. 

"My message to Nairobi and to the national government is simple. Eastleigh is already carrying a heavy share of this country’s revenue. What we are asking for is recognition — and investment — that matches that contribution."

As evening falls and shopkeepers begin counting the day's earnings, some celebrate profitable sales while others close their doors hoping tomorrow will be better.

Yet, from sunrise to sunset, Eastleigh never loses its entrepreneurial spirit. It remains a place where dreams are built one customer at a time, proving that despite economic challenges, the heartbeat of Nairobi's business district continues to grow stronger every day.