Kenya Faces Shortage Of Non-essential Items

Kenyan retailers have run out of stock for non-essential items due to measures that have been put in place by the government and different countries to curb Covid-19 spread.

With Kenya only allowing movement of essential items in its borders and counties, some retailers who deal with non-essential items have been forced to close down shops after running out of stock.

According to the Retail Trade Association of Kenya, the movement of high-value products, electronics, and furniture has witnessed a slow supply due to the border restrictions.

The associations Chief Executive Wambui Mbarire says covid-19 has affected most businesses in the country by affecting suppliers and manufacturers of non-essential goods. The retailers have been forced to shift to local manufacturers who cannot meet the demands.

“Likewise, this has impacted retailers’ ability to procure goods from local manufacturers and import markets, and they do too can no longer meet demands,” said Ms. Mbarire.

Ms. Mbarire also argues that the night curfew has affected output since companies have been forced to limit working hours. The situation has been worsened by a series of layoffs and social distancing rules.

“As a result of curfew, companies have also been forced to cut manufacturing time, especially during night hours when the curfew is in force. This has lowered output, “she added.

“Currently, shipments of these products into the country through flights and planes have also been hampered as such products cannot be imported.”

Following the cessation of movement in and out of the Covid-19 hotspots, retailers were left to operate in limited areas and only sell the available stock.

The situation has not been different in supermarkets where most outlets have completely run out of stock of most electronic items.

Furthermore, thousands of people have now been left jobless especially those who depended on non-essential items as their main source of revenue. Some retailers have now been forced to shift to essential items as a way of survival.