List Of Businesses, Hustles Doing Well This Rainy Season In Kenya

• Heavy rains have disrupted businesses across the country, particularly impacting small businesses operating on the streets, such as hawkers and those in flooded areas
• Certain businesses are thriving during the rainy season, including dealers in protective wear like umbrellas and raincoats, as well as home delivery services for groceries and essentials
• Hot drink sellers are also experiencing increased demand as people seek warmth and comfort during the cooler weather, particularly in Nairobi and other towns

Elijah Ntongai, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, has more than three years of financial, business, and technology research expertise, providing insights into Kenyan and global trends.

The ongoing rains have paralysed businesses in various parts of the country, leaving many Kenyans in the informal sector without a source of income.

These include hawkers and business owners in flooded areas and those dealing with cold products, such as ice cream, which is not in high demand due to the cold weather.

Spot checks by TUKO.co.ke collected a few new hustles and businesses that may be doing well despite the cold and rainy weather.

Hustles in demand rainy season

1. Dealers in protective wear

Protective wears during rainy seasons include umbrellas, raincoats, gumboots, and goloshes.

When it rains, umbrella traders pop up on the streets, enticing Nairobians to avoid getting wet to and from their workplaces.

The Kenya Meteorological Department has issued more weather updates indicating that the rains will continue for the near future; therefore, buying a foldable umbrella or wearing goloshes is becoming essential.

2. Home delivery services

Boda boda riders and companies that provide home delivery services are raking it this rainy season.

When it rains, people don't want to go out shopping for groceries in the evening when it's more convenient to ask for delivery.

TUKO.co.ke found that many hotels and grocery stores in residential areas in Nairobi and its environs have started to provide delivery services due to customer demands.

Additionally, with people avoiding outdoor shopping, online retail platforms and businesses are thriving, especially if they sell warm clothing, blankets, home essentials, groceries, and food.

3. Hot drink sellers

The cooler the weather, the sweeter the coffee!

When it rains, people seek warmth and comfort, and hawkers and restaurants selling hot drinks like hot chocolate, coffee, and tea are booming in Nairobi and other towns.

4. Matatu and boda boda

Matatu fares often hike during rainy weather as PSVs (public service vehicles) try to recoup money they will lose by spending more time on the roads due to traffic congestion, which often occurs when it rains.

A spot check by TUKO.co. revealed that whenever it rains, boda boda riders charge more for the same distance, with some increasing the cost by KSh 20 and KSh 50 depending on the area and the condition of the roads.

5. Mitumba

Although many open markets are inaccessible when it rains, people often flock to the clothes sections looking for cold-season clothes.

Second-hand clothes traders dealing in heavy jackets and sweaters experience bigger turnovers during this season.

6. Roof repair and waterproofing services

Leaky roofs become more noticeable during heavy rains, which means builders and constructors are in high demand.

A spot check by TUKO.co.ke revealed that many owners of older buildings have had to call in a builder to repair their roofs following an overnight heavy downpour.

7. Other thriving businesses include

Car repair: Mud and rain are making vehicles to break down, requiring repairs.

Gas dealers are in more demand now that charcoal and firewood are hard to get.

Boats in towns for crossing flooded sections. Some are using boda boda or carrying people on their backs across flooded sections for a fee.

Hardware and construction materials as people are now buying waterproof cement, nails, iron sheets etc to fix areas where floods have affected and also reinforce their houses/structures

Devastating floods rock Kenya

• Over 130,000 Kenyan households have been affected by the flooding disaster, with the death toll hitting 70.
• Until April 25, floods had killed at least 35 people and destroyed unquantifiable amounts of property in most parts of the country.
• Mathare-based activist Benna Buluma is among 10 people who died in Mathare floodwaters following heavy rains.
• At least 690 households have been displaced by the flooding in parts of Homa Bay county as heavy rains persist.

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Making deliveries and selling hot drinks are thriving businesses in rainy seasons.

List of Businesses, Hustles Doing Well This Rainy Season in Kenya

List of areas set to experience heavy rains - Kenya Met