With rising inflation and increased taxes, the purchasing power of most Kenyans has declined to result in a much more affordable lifestyle so that they can manage their responsibilities easily and stay out of debt.
Apart from Gikomba Market, which is one of the largest and most popular open-air markets, here are other markets likely save you a few coins.
KENYATTA MARKET
Popularly known as an open-air market for salons, the market is located on Mtongwe Road near Saint Lukes church. It offers salon options with hairdressers trained to do the most recent, trending hairstyles on demand.
People from all social standards get their hair done in this market despite its not-so-attractive environment. Some salons have been in business for over ten years by maintaining and bringing in new customers.
However, there is high competition in business with the hairdressers hunting for new customers every day and they do not shy from poaching those from other salons.
KARIOKOR MARKET
The market situated on Ring Road Ngara has businesses that sell raw materials used to craft shoes, jewellery and bags. Some businesses sell beads, sisal, leather, local textile and garments that are used to make shoes, jewellery, bags and baskets.
The place is so colourful from all the products hanging in the shops of the market. The prices here are lower compared with Maasai market or uptown shops but the quality is the same.
TOI MARKET
This open-air market is divided into sub-sections and businesses that sell thrift clothes hold the largest part of the market. There is a Toi market in Adams and another one in Kibera. The prices in Adams are higher than the ones in Kibera.
In this case, the prices in the Kibera market are very cheap. Clothes go from Sh50 or less to Sh 500 and all the way to Sh 1000. It is located on the outskirts of the Kibera slum at Makina. The other sections of the market have groceries, cutleries and general shops
MUTHURWA MARKET
This market has stalls that host vendors selling fruits and vegetables, clothes, car spare parts and electrical appliances. Most people with ‘vibandas’ in Eastlands go to this market to restock their food supplies.
It is located along Muthurwa Road and Landhies road. The fruits and vegetables in this market are sold at a cheaper price and in both wholesale and retail.
JUA KALI MARKET
This market is popularly known for metallic items like metal boxes that are mostly used by boarding school students, kitchen items, wheelbarrows, storage tanks, furniture, tents and building materials. It is located on Ahero street. The market also has people who repair appliances that break down. Instead of spending more on a new one, old machinery can be fixed and be as good as new.
KAMUKUNJI MARKET
Located off Landhies road opposite Wakulima Market, this market has all sorts of products from carpets, bedding, plastic household items, shoes, bags, clothes, utensils, home décor accessories, and much more. The products are of good quality and are sold wholesale or retail at a very affordable price. Most businesses in local towns get their products from this market to sell to the people that find it hard to get there.
MAASAI MARKET
These are seasonal open-air markets where vendors that target tourists and locals for curios, paintings, drawings, clothes and fabrics with East African prints, jewellery and wood carvings, many hand-made in Kenya by local artisans.
The market moves around the city on different days of the week, typically operating from 8am to 6pm at each location. You can buy all your souvenirs and gifts from this market. On Tuesdays, the market is in Kijabe Street next to John Michuki Park, in Capital Centre on Mombasa Road near the airport on Wednesdays, in Junction Shopping Mall on Ngong Road on Thursdays, in Village Market in Gigiri upper car park on Friday, in The High Court parking lot in the city centre on Saturdays and in Yaya Centre on Sundays
UHURU MARKET
This market is located on Jogoo Road near Shell Petrol Station. It is predominantly a school uniform marketplace where traders sew and sell school uniforms for many schools in the country. Their prices are relevantly cheaper than the ones in uniform buildings in the Central Business District. If the uniform you could be looking for is not available at their shops all you need to do is bring or show a sample of the uniform to the tailors and give out the size it should be made in and expect your customized uniforms to be made.
CITY MARKET
This market is popularly known for its flower and fish businesses. It is located on Muindi Mbingu Street in the CBD. Bouquets of flowers of all kinds are found in this market. During festive seasons like Valentine’s Day, you are more likely to find most vendors aligned out of the City Market building selling their flowers than any other day when you can only see a few of the sellers outside.
The prices rise in festive seasons but they drop when the celebrations are done. In the market, you will also find fascinating local handicrafts such as pretty Maasai jewellery, woodcarving, national musical instruments, coloured wraps and bright fabrics. You will also find affordable fish, fresh fruit, vegetables, clothes and accessories.
BURMA MARKET
The market is located opposite City Stadium on Jogoo Road. It is a slaughter station but sells both raw and cooked meat. The available meat in the market includes; beef, lamb, goat, fish and other seafood. Not only do they sell raw meat but also cooked, fried and roasted meat at affordable prices.
