By Maureen Chesumei
Long queues and overcrowding have been witnessed in various bookshops and uniforms shops across the country due to the last minute shopping sprees ahead of school reopening.
Nakuru city was not an exception. Some parents waited patiently to be served while others resorted to go back home and shop another day.
A businessman at Nakuru Wool Uniform said that many parents were forced to buy school uniforms despite the price hike of the commodities.
“Most of the prices of school uniforms have been hiked by between Sh.150 and Sh.200. As a result of this, parents are settling for one piece of uniform instead of all,” he said.
He further explained that the materials for making school uniforms are not found easily in the country owing to the emergence of Covid-19.
“China is the largest exporter of uniform materials to Kenya. The imposed lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-19 has resulted in containers being locked in ports or the closure of the main ports,” the businessman said.
He further explained that the dollar fluctuation from 117 to 118 has affected the retail prices of uniforms.
Those who eke a living by putting name labels on pupils’ uniforms said that parents have complained about the hiked prices of labeling uniforms.
“Only a few parents are willing to put name labels,” said Brian, a labels specialist.
He however added that business booms when schools reopen unlike during holidays when they hardly get business.
Angelina Muniva, a parent, said that she could not afford all the uniforms, thus opting only for the most important sets of uniforms.
She further complained that the government had failed to come up with measures to control inflation.
She promised not to vote in the coming general elections since elected leaders never fought for ordinary citizens.
