Have you ever wondered where to buy household goods and foodstuff at affordable rates in Nairobi?
With the cost of living continually becoming unbearable, some Nairobi residents devised survival strategies, including discovering different spots where goods and products are sold at a bargain.
To help residents survive and maneuver in the city, Kenyans.co.ke compiled a few markets and spots where goods are retailed at affordable rates.
Where to Get Vegetables
Nairobi residents struggle to find fresh and affordable vegetables, especially in estates. Families spend as much as Ksh100 on three bunches of kale (sukuma wiki) as basic commodities' prices continue to skyrocket.
However, those seeking to buy Sukuma and indigenous crops (kienyeji) frequent Marikiti and Gikomba, where they buy in mass at affordable rates. Traders selling in different Nairobi estates throng Marikiti and Gikomba markets to buy vegetables. The market's vegetable prices range from as low as Ksh10 for a sizeable bunch.
The markets are ideal because they are a walking distance from the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) and neighbours several bus termini serving Eastlands, Mombasa Road and a section of Thika Super Highway.
Toi Market near Kibera also sells vegetables at affordable rates. Its location on Ngong Road allows residents and other shoppers to get goods easily.
Those living outside Nairobi visit Githurai, Ruiru and Kiandutu markets, where four big tomatoes are sold at Ksh20.
Shopping Spots for Cereals.
Nyamakima Market is a one-stop centre for all cereals sold at wholesale and discounted prices. Maize, beans, groundnuts, soya beans, green grams, sorghum and barley, are among the cereals found at Nyamakima.
Maize at Nyamakima retails at Ksh140 for a 2-kilogram packet, unlike Ksh180 in other markets. Beans go for Ksh150, which is Ksh30 cheaper than in other local markets.
Traders in the market also sell cereals in 90-kilogram bags for consumers buying in bulk at bargainable prices.
It is located in the Central Business District near several bus stations and also accessible by online hailing taxis.
Utensils and Other Household Items
Kamukunji is a hub for many household items. Utensils, basins and plastic household items are sold in bulk and at affordable rates in Kamukunji.
With Ksh100, Nairobi residents can walk home with several cups and plates from the center.
Beddings are also sold there where mattresses vary in price starting from Ksh3,500.
Meat
Although butcheries within estates sell meat from as low as Ksh100, there are some spots within the vast Nairobi region where residents get it at affordable rates.
At Burma Market, Nairobi residents buy beef, chicken, goat meat, lamb meat and fish at affordable prices. For instance, a kilo of beef costs Ksh400, Ksh450 for goat meat and Ksh500 for lamb meat.
It is located near Shauri Moyo and is easily accessible from Jogoo Road.
Ndonyo Market in Dagoretti is also a shopping hub for meat in bulk at a bargain.
Beauty Products
Dubois Road near River Road hosts many shops selling beauty products sold in wholesale and retail bundles with affordable prices attracting customers.
Depending on the type, perfumes along Dubois Road costs as low as Ksh100. Lipstick costs around Ksh50 wholesale, and body works at Ksh300.
Saloonists and ladies throng Dubois Road shops to buy wigs that cost as low as Ksh3,500.
It is easily accessible on foot from anyone within Nairobi Central District.
Clothes
Apart from Gikomba, known for selling second-hand clothes and shoes at affordable prices, there are other emerging markets for cheap products.
Toi Market along Ngong Road sells them at a fair price starting from Ksh100. However, stalls near Bus Station also sell different clothing products from as low as Ksh200.
Hawkers along River Road in Nairobi also offer children's clothes and men's items of clothing at affordable prices.
Eastleigh is a hub for new clothes. Even those planning weddings and special occasions visit different shops in Eastleigh to buy designer clothes.
A complete suit in some shops in Eastleigh costs as low as Ksh2,500. Women's designer clothes range from Ksh1,000 to Ksh3,000.
Curtains and other household products are found in Eastleigh.
Maasai Market, hosted at the Supreme Court parking in Nairobi CBD, sells clothing items at affordable rates. African print shirts cost Ksh800 and above.
Uniforms
Parents throng Kenyatta Market along Jogoo Road, where they buy uniforms at affordable rates. The traders at the Kenyatta Market even make customised uniforms for parents saving them from the struggle of admission.
Full school uniform at Kenyatta Market costs as low as Ksh1,800, depending on the type. In shops, a full school uniform costs roughly Ksh3,500.
Customers access the market using public service vehicles that charge as low as Ksh20.
Gikomba Market is also an alternative for buying uniforms.
Fish
Gikomba has a designated market selling fish and omena at affordable rates beginning at Ksh100, depending on type and size.
In different Nairobi estates, fish cost Ksh200 and above. Omena is also sold at affordable rates starting from Ksh20.
Prescription Drugs
Along Accra Road in Nairobi Central Business District, several approved pharmacies by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Kenya sell prescribed drugs at affordable rates.
Most pharmacies in different estates shop for drugs along Accra Road.
Spare Parts
The industrial Area is a hub for spare parts and other machines. Residents visit shops in the vast Industrial Area to buy machines and spare parts.
Traders sell machines and spare parts in retail and for commercial purposes.
However, other markets that also sell products at fair prices, include Kangemi, Mlolongo, Ruiru, Ngara and Dagoretti.
