Traders at the newly constructed Diani Market in Kwale County have commended the government’s efforts to relocate their businesses from the roadside makeshift shelters to the modern structures
The vendors are now urging leaders to invest in factories and alternative industries to reduce alarming unemployment numbers in the region that heavily dependent on the dwindling tourism economy at the South Coast.
Speaking during interviews at the market, several traders described the new facility as a life-changing development after years of harassment, displacement and poor working conditions while operating near Ibiza and the Show-ground areas.
Diani market traders said the market has restored dignity to small-scale business owners and improved their livelihoods.
Rashid Athman, a fruit and vegetable trader, said the new market has provided a safer and more organized business environment.
“We are grateful because where we came from, we were trading by the roadside. We later moved to the Showground, but now we have come to Diani Market. The market is beautiful and secure, and we can now do our businesses in a safe place,” said Athman.
Despite the improved infrastructure, Athman noted that traders still struggle during the tourism low season because most businesses on the South Coast rely heavily on visitors.
“Tourism is our biggest challenge. During the low season, business goes down because the entire economy here depends on tourism. If tourists do not come, even workers at the beach hotels lose purchasing power, and we also make fewer sales,” he explained.
He called on both levels of government to establish factories and industries in the region to stabilize the local economy throughout the year.
“If factories and other companies were brought here, the economy would improve and businesses would no longer rise and fall depending on tourism,” he added.
Another trader, Mzee Said Mwamuria, who said he has worked in the market business for more than 30 years, praised Governor Fatuma Achani and President William Ruto, for supporting the construction of the market.
“We had no proper market before. We used to sell under difficult conditions at Ibiza and later occupied the Showground illegally after being removed from there. We thank Governor Achani and President Ruto because the two governments united and built this market for us,” said Mwamuria.
The President and the Governor were repeatedly praised by traders for supporting market development, education bursaries and economic empowerment initiatives in the county.
Mwamuria said business performance fluctuates drastically depending on the tourist season.
“During the low season I can make about Sh2,000 a day, but during high season I can earn even Sh5,000 daily,” he said.
He added that many traders survive entirely on tourism-related spending.
“The money earned from tourists circulates everywhere here. When tourism is doing well, people can afford services and buy goods. But when tourism declines, everyone suffers,” he explained.
The astute trader appealed for the establishment of industries and affordable housing projects, to create jobs beyond tourism.
“This beach economy only works for about three months. After that, business becomes very difficult. We are asking the government to bring another factory here to support the local economy,” he said.
Another trader, Esther Mramba, recalled the hardships traders endured before the construction of the new market.
“I used to sell at Ibiza by the roadside. The sun was mine and the rain was mine. We suffered a lot before this market was built,” she said.
She also recounted frequent confrontations with municipal enforcement officers.
“We could be chased away even at night and forced to carry our tables and boxes. Today we thank the government because we finally have a proper place to work,” Mramba added.
Mramba further appealed for access to government empowerment funds and affordable loans to help traders expand their businesses.
“Now that you have built the market for us, please also help us access empowerment funds and loans so that we can develop ourselves,” she said.
The traders also highlighted the positive impact of free public Wi-Fi installed at the market, saying it has helped them market products online and communicate with customers more efficiently.
“The Wi-Fi has helped us sell our products online and keep busy even when customers are few,” one trader noted.
The vendors further credited the Kwale County government for supporting education through bursaries, with some saying their children had managed to attend university because of county sponsorship programs.
“My child managed to reach university through county support. Selling fruits alone could not have made that possible,” said one trader.
As the South Coast continues to depend heavily on tourism, traders at Diani Market say the new facility has given them hope and dignity, but insist that sustainable economic growth will only come through industrial investment, expanded empowerment programs and diversified sources of income.
By Chari Suche
