The Windsor Farmers’ market is all about making hay while the sun is still high

By Mercy Gakii 

The coronavirus pandemic made its entry into Kenya, at least officially, around mid-March 2020. Before this pandemic, life was happy, Kenyans kicked the hustle as usual as targets and profit projections for the year fueled every ambition.

That is, until this astounding pneumonia-like disease brought Kenya, and indeed the world, to a stop. 

Kenyans have had to stay home. This is the third month of implementing the shelter in place orders across Nairobi. I have duly obeyed, and, as I write this report from my house, many ingenious inventions have come to the marketplace as shrewd business men and women work hard to beat losses occasioned by COVID-19.

I believe Kenyans, and indeed the human race, is innovative. While the hard working Kenyans who grace the corporate scene are working remotely, some have come up with interesting ways to beat the cabin fever. For this group of businessmen and women, they must meet their business targets by every possible means. Now, they have looked for every means of getting as close to their customers as possible.

For this effort, Thika-based small businesses have found their way to set up their mobile businesses as close as possible to the city of Nairobi. It is now popularly known as the Northern Bypass business. I christen it the Windsor Farmers’ Market, because it is right by the fence of the aristocratic Windsor Gold Club.

Now, for those who encountered the owner of this high class golfing club owner, the late John Michuki, the thought of having such an open market by the gates of his expensive hotel brings a shriek of anxiety. Michuki was a no-nonsense man. He would have had these hustlers swept off his neighborhood at the drop of a hat. It is with this in mind that I made my journey to go see for myself these courageous Kenyans, who unbowed by this pandemic, can dare bring an open market right next door to the high end estates of Runda and Garden Estates.

I ensured that I have a few shillings in my wallet, at least to do my window shopping with. The market did not disappoint. On getting to the Windsor Roundabout, I could see for a stretch of more than a kilometre, cars parked with their boots facing the road. The business owners displayed all manner of edibles, from omena, tilapia, chicken, eggs, to sweet potatoes, irish potatoes, green maize, you name it. 

The market has portable toilets set a short distance from the sellers. Quite convenient. 

It was interesting to see a soft drinks vendor had also set camp. He knew what the hot scorching sun can do even to the most enterprising entrepreneur. His stall was jammed, and he was happily exchanging money for the ice cold soda.

“Karibu customer! Fresh fish!” a seller called out to me as I strolled along, throwing an occasional gaze at the wide open boots. I would not buy fish. My money was not enough. But there were loads of other delicacies, especially the fruits.  I walked to one who sold me ripe bananas. I needed the energy. But the bananas were pricey, because one piece was retailing at ten shillings. I decided this is not the place to test my haggling skills. These shrewd businessmen do not deserve my bargaining skills. 

I decided to talk to a friendly lady who was selling toys. I had not thought that even toys would find their way here. But according to Virginia Mugo (not her real name) the new business model is proving worth the risk.

She has a store in Thika Town, some 40 kilometres from her new open ground, outside Windsor Golf Club. But, she tells me, she had to look for other ways to stay afloat during the lockdown, which is still ongoing.

“Our kind of business depends on daily sales so that we can get more stock, or even meet our daily needs such as fueling the car,” she told this writer from her new makeshift boot shop. 

She said she is highly likely to continue with the new method of doing business because all she will need is to fuel her car, and find a suitable location to sell her wares. As we talk, two more customers ask the prices of toy trucks. Her prices are not by any means cheap, but the customers do not make much noise. They make their pick, and quickly pay through the mobile money transfer option, M-pesa, straight to Virginia’s phone.

“I have learnt something new by coming out here. First of all, I learn that I can still make a sale and that is very important. Second, that even customers’ ways of shopping have changed. People want the goods or services to come as close as possible to them,” she said as we haggled over a set of toy blocks.

Her mind is made up; she is not about to go back to paying rent for a shop while waiting for the elusive customer. She will instead hawk her merchandise from the boot of her car, while creating a new pool of customer contacts who she can follow up on.

“I have actually identified a spot in Thindigua area along Kiambu Road and the reception so far is very encouraging. So as soon as this lockdown is over, I shall set my base there.” The business owners are making hay while the sun shines, because they are well aware that once the lockdown is lifted, they will be chased out of the Northern Bypass temporary market. 

But they are also quite amused at the attention that Nairobi residents have paid to them, maybe thinking that these could be a new breed of hustlers, after all Kenyans have a knack for changing with the times.

“These media people are coming here every day looking for news. I find it funny, but it is also good publicity for us because we are selling more and more,” Virginia remarks, not knowing that her customer is also a news hungry journalist.

The location alone is enough reason to make the media interested in the stories coming out of the Windsor Farmers’ Market. But also for the fact that the rather lonely road is notorious for car-jackings at night, it is a welcome addition for businesses who otherwise cannot enter Nairobi due to the curfew and lockdown orders restricting movement in and out of Nairobi.