In recent days roadside hawking of eggs, sausages and other foodstuff has become a common feature in Nyeri town thanks to the soaring unemployment in the country.
This has in essence made it possible for people to sit down in an eatery to grab a bite of their favourite snack as they move on with their businesses.
Apart from the desire to make a quick profit from the masses, shrinking employment opportunities have pushed many vendors to opt for hawking food on the streets.
On the flip side, the mushrooming of these roadside eateries has proved to be a bane to hoteliers who are witnessing a decline in earnings as some of their former clients have deserted them for the street bites.
Lillian Wairimu, who works at Gateway Canteen says that roadside food vendors have of late become a favourite of the public resulting in a dwindling number of clients in formal food joints and inns.
Wairimu said the trend though quite legitimate may soon end up forcing some food outlets to close shop owing to steady loss in sales.
“We have of late witnessed a steady rise in street food vendors that seems to be taking over the town owing to the severe economic times we are living in as most people can ill afford the amount of money prices being charged at normal hotels," she said.
"For example, a cup of tea and a mandazi goes for Sh25 and yet one can get the same in the roadside stalls at Sh20. It, therefore, goes without saying that anyone one intending to spare a few coins will go for those selling at a reduced price."
However, Nanice Kananu, who operates a fruit juice stall argues that even with the onslaught from the street vendors, every business operator has managed to maintain their clients.
She also says the number of clients one can attract depends a great deal on what kind of rapport and services proprietors offer to them.
At the moment, according to Kananu, the changing weather patterns is what has affected her business as most people avoid buying fruits during cold days.
“A business is as good as the attendant behind the serving desk and therefore with or without street vendors, those running formal eateries need not fear as long as they serve their clients to their satisfaction," she said.
"Currently my main challenge does not emanate from those selling their merchandise along the streets but rather from the cold weather which tends to scare away clients and who go to hotels where they can get hot meals."
