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Maasai Market boosts Kijabe Street’s rise to business hub

Maasai Market boosts Kijabe Street’s rise to business hub
Maasai market. Photo/courtesy
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Having established itself as a formidable lighting and ceramics hub, Kijabe street is on its way to claiming international status thanks to the presence of the famed Maasai market. There are tens of home fixtures and fittings shops almost end-to-end on the street, turning it into a one-stop-spot for those looking for lighting and bathroom, kitchen and toilet fixtures.

Also making Kijabe street popular is agricultural products, especially seeds and fertilisers. With the variety available, customers have choices, depending on how much they want to spend.

The growing popularity of the street has also received a boost from the Maasai market that has become a popular name throughout East Africa, especially for tourists. The market which resurfaces every Tuesday from 6 am to 8 pm along the backstreet of Kijabe has made the little-known street a curio marketplace, which has brought the nearby Michuki Park the much- needed publicity.

The 750 metres stretch which sits along Michuki Park’s fence used to be a dumping ground and home to paper recyclers. Ordinarily it is a car park and a garage of sorts.

However, on Tuesdays, the cars disappear and close to 500 traders and artisans descend on the ground and spread their wares on every available ground space.

The traders are part of the larger association of original Maasai Market Handcraft Welfare Association widely known for their mastery in creating enchanting ornaments and artifacts. “Kijabe Street is one among two of the most popular locations for the Maasai market and it is the most significant because many Kenyans and foreigners have long associated the Maasai market with Tuesday pop-ups,” said Richard Mulei chairperson, Maasai Market Association.

Ngara Road

He says the market moved to Kijabe Street after being relocated from globe cinema roundabout around 2008 following the construction of Ngara Road.

The history of Maasai market spans the days of batter trade when Maasai and Kamba women would trade milk for honey.

When this medium of trade was displaced by money the women complied with the new order of life, according to Hellen Nanka whose mother was among the pioneer traders. The market surfaced around 1982 and was operating along Mombasa road.  Soon enough the geography became too small for the fast-expanding enterprise. In 1989 the traders organised themselves and registered their group.

Nanka has entrenched herself in Maasai-themed jewelry since she was 10 years. She learned to make the unique pieces under the auspice of her mother.

“Locals and foreigners love my jewelry in equal measure. It is also what has fed my eight children all these years. A set of three necklaces cost Sh3,500 while a single one can cost anywhere between Sh1,500 and Sh2,000,” she said.

Along the Street, the old and the new generation trade side by side creating time-loved classics and contemporary pieces.

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