Eastleigh Residents Prepare for Ramadan Amid Rising Food Prices

 By Elvis Lagat 

As Ramadan approaches, Eastleigh residents are proactively preparing for the holy month by purchasing and stockpiling essential food items, anticipating the customary price hikes that accompany Ramadan. With less than ten days remaining before the start of Ramadan, many are acquiring basic food supplies in large quantities to avoid last-minute shopping and potential price surges.

Grocery stores in Eastleigh have reported an increase in customers as people prepare for the fasting period. Traders are witnessing heightened sales due to the growing demand for essential commodities. Many shoppers prefer early shopping to dodge last-minute price surges and crowded shopping areas.

Among the most sought-after products are dates, a staple food used to break the daily fast during Ramadan. Currently, a ten-kilogram package of dates is priced at KSh 2,350 in wholesalers along 14th Street, with some vendors selling it for KSh 2,500. Prices are expected to climb even further, potentially reaching KSh 3,000 as Ramadan draws closer. Other essential foods like wheat flour and rice are also experiencing high demand. Ajab wheat flour is currently available for KSh 1,950 per 24-kilogram package, but merchants foresee an increase to KSh 2,200 soon. Hamza brand rice, which is widely preferred in Eastleigh, is selling at KSh 4,350 for a 25-kilogram package, with projections indicating a rise to KSh 4,700.

In response to the rising food prices, the government has announced that dates imported for Ramadan will be exempt from taxes. Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung'u stated that the government had approved the duty-free importation of dates to support the Muslim community during Ramadan. Dates imported and cleared between March 1 and April 20, 2024, will be considered for the tax exemption. 

Despite this initiative, many residents remain concerned about the escalating food costs. Halima Osman, a fruit vendor in Eastleigh, expressed frustration over the high prices, stating that the government should reduce the prices of food during Ramadan. She noted that some suppliers are taking advantage of the drought to increase prices, making it difficult for many to afford basic necessities. 

As Ramadan approaches, Eastleigh residents continue to prepare for the fasting period, balancing their spiritual commitments with the practical challenges posed by rising food prices.

For more insights into the impact of rising food prices on Ramadan, you may find the following video informative:

February 21, 2025