In Nairobi, Kenya, onion traders at the Wakulima Market, known as Marikiti, are challenging their proposed move to the Kangundo Road Market, citing insufficient space for the influx of lorries from Tanzania. The Marikiti Market is a hub for Tanzanian onions, preferred by Kenyans for their quality, attributed to the lack of pesticides and genetically modified seeds in their cultivation. Traders express concerns over the capacity of the new market to accommodate the heavy traffic of lorries, especially during peak seasons.
According to Kennedy Odhiambo, a local trader, Tanzanian onions, which are farmed without chemicals, take longer to mature than their Kenyan counterparts, contributing to their preferred status. The current pricing sees Tanzanian onions selling at a higher rate than those from Kenya. The reliance on Tanzanian onions is significant, with about 50% of Kenya's red onions being imported from the neighboring country, as reported by the Food and Agriculture Organisation in 2014.
The potential relocation has sparked legal action, with a recent court ruling halting the Nairobi City County's eviction order. This legal intervention underscores the contentious nature of the relocation plan and its impact on local traders. The influx of Tanzanian onions has historically moderated prices in Nairobi, providing relief to consumers and the hospitality industry alike. However, recent fluctuations in onion prices have raised concerns among consumers and traders. The debate over the relocation of Marikiti traders to the Kangundo Road Market continues, reflecting broader issues of market infrastructure and agricultural trade between Kenya and Tanzania.
Source: Eastleigh Voice