FOOD VENDORS
Musa Muturi, 27, is married with one child and operates a grocery stall along the streets of Bahati Estate. A college graduate with a Civil Engineering diploma earned in 2021, he opens his stall daily from 8 am to 10 pm. His business yields a daily profit of 1,000 shillings a picture taken on March 12, 2024.
Text | Francis Nderitu
Photos | Francis Nderitu
Street vendors in Nairobi play a vital role in city life, providing essential goods and services such as food, clothes, and household items to residents on the go. Many of these vendors, including college and university graduates, rely on their businesses as their primary source of income after facing unemployment. Examples include a father with a civil engineering diploma selling groceries, a mechanic who doubles as a barber, a young woman frying fish, and a butcher supporting his family. Their efforts not only sustain their livelihoods but also cater to the basic needs of the community, easing daily life in the bustling city.
Moses Muchera, 28 years old and a former Form 2 dropout, has been selling cassava crisps along Eldama Ravine Road since October 31, 2024. He has been in the business for 6 years, earning about Kshs 2000 per day. Before this, Moses worked as a club DJ, learned to drive, and was a self-taught mechanic.
Francis Opondo, 35, has been making chapatis at a café on Moi Drive in Umoja 1 estate for the past five years. He is married with two children and holds a college-level qualification in project management. On average, he earns around 800 shillings per day on December 19, 2023.
Shua Musiega, 28, has been selling fried fish and fish balls on the streets of Bahati estate since 2020. A college graduate with a diploma in Catering, she earns a daily profit of around 1,000 shillings in a picture taken on March 12, 2024.
Peter Chacha, 19, has been working at a fruit stand in Thindigua, Kiambu for a year. He completed his education up to Form 4 and, on a good day, can earn up to 10,000 shillings. Peter aspires to pursue a degree in Business Management in a picture taken on October 31, 2024.
Musa Muturi, 27, is married with one child and runs a grocery stall along the streets of Bahati Estate. He graduated with a Civil Engineering diploma in 2021. Musa operates his stall daily from 8 am to 10 pm and earns a daily profit of 1,000 shillings in a picture taken on March 12, 2024.
Albert Mwai, 45, has been working as a street meat vendor at Nairobi West Shopping Center for a year. He is married with three children, whom he supports through his business. On average, he earns a daily profit of 2,000 to 3,000 shillings. Albert completed a college course in Computer studies in a picture taken on December 19, 2023.
Rogers Siranga, 29, has been selling Omena at the City Stadium market along Jogoo Road for the past four years. He is currently pursuing a degree in IT at Mount Kenya University. On a good day, he can earn a profit of between 800 and 1,000 shillings from his sales in a picture taken on December 19, 2023.
Phylis Musili, 29, has been working at a street café called Kwa Kasee Café for the past two years. She is married with two children. Phylis completed her education up to Form Four. The café generates an average of 4,000 shillings in daily sales in a picture taken on December 19, 2023.
Robert Kungu, 21, has been selling cut green vegetables at the City Stadium market along Jogoo Road. He completed his Form Four education in 2020 and is currently a part-time hairdressing student while working at the market. On a good day, Robert can earn up to 600 shillings in a picture taken on December 19, 2023.
