Kenyans have at least one reason to rejoice, despite the ongoing crisis in the country - Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak, which has affected the economy with industries closing and employees being fired or sent on unpaid leave.
The price of tomatoes plummeted, signalling an end to an outcry by Kenyans, who had lamented on their scarcity, which saw the price of tomatoes double and triple in some areas.
The prices had shot up to between Ksh 15 and Ksh 20 per fruit and a kilogramme sold at Ksh 120.
A crate of tomatoes which used to go for around Ksh 6,000 had increased to between Ksh 10,000 and Ksh 12,000.
However, in certain areas of the country, the price of 1kg of tomatoes is now trading at Ksh 60 and Ksh 80.
According to experts, the shortage was occasioned by heavy rains which pounded parts of the country in December 2019, causing heavy damage to tomatoes growing on various farms.
“Swathes of our land were submerged in water, leading to the wash-away or complete destruction of tomatoes.
“Because it became difficult to spray pesticides on the crops, as the rainwater would wash away the chemicals, the few remaining tomatoes decayed in the farms,” Jacqueline Wanjiru, a tomato farmer in Kirinyaga, explained to the media in February 2020.
While speaking with Kenyans.co.ke on Friday, March 27, Nicholas Gachara, a private financial consultant welcomed the move to lower the prices but warned that the trend may repeat.
"Tomato is a basic food item and right now we have an oversupply. We should try to balance the supply so that we can be careful to avoid having the prices rising again," Gachara stated.
With a curfew (starting Friday, March 27) imposed by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday, March 25, and many county governments closing down food stalls and market areas, questions arose as to how Kenyans can acquire the groceries.
Kenyatta, however, clarified that essential service providers will not be affected by the curfew. Among the listed were food dealers, distributors, wholesalers and transporters of farm produce.
This means Kenyans can acquire the products from supermarkets and small-scale sellers who would be operating from 5 a.m. to 7.p.m after receiving the produces from the suppliers.
