Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko on Friday and Saturday morning stepped to support small-scale traders struggling to cope with the ongoing heavy rains pounding the city.
The former Nairobi Governor distributed umbrellas to mama mboga, food vendors, and other small business operators whose daily livelihoods have been disrupted by the relentless downpour.
For many of these traders, who operate in open-air markets and roadside setups, the gesture provided not just physical protection from the rains, but a renewed sense of hope.
The initiative has had an immediate and visible impact in areas such as Gikomba, Kibera, and parts of Eastlands, where traders were seen going about their businesses with a sense of relief, shielded from the harsh weather conditions that have in recent days reduced customer traffic and damaged perishable goods.
Some residents and traders have lauded Sonko’s intervention, describing it as timely and thoughtful, especially at a moment when many small businesses are grappling with reduced incomes and rising economic hard times.
However, as the rains persist, calls are now growing louder across the city’s 85 wards for expanded support.
Community leaders and residents are urging both county authorities and well-wishers to step up interventions aimed at cushioning vulnerable groups from the effects of the adverse weather.
From Mukuru to Mathare, and from Kawangware to Kayole, the message is consistent: more needs to be done.
Traders are appealing for additional protective gear, improved drainage systems, and temporary shelters to safeguard their goods and ensure business continuity.
