A growing number of small-scale traders in Eastleigh are turning to perfume hawking as an accessible source of income, reflecting changing livelihood patterns among low-income earners in the area.
The trade, which is concentrated along major streets such as Second Avenue, has expanded in recent months as more youths and informal workers set up evening stalls to tap into steady consumer demand.
Traders say the business requires relatively low start-up capital compared with other informal sector activities, making it attractive to those who have lost jobs or lack access to formal employment.
Sahra Ilmi, one of the traders, said she entered the business earlier this year after losing her previous source of income when her employers relocated from Nairobi.
She said she initially worked under another vendor before starting her own stall, a pathway commonly taken by new entrants to the trade.
The increase in the number of sellers, however, is intensifying competition, with some traders reporting days without making sales due to the high concentration of vendors offering similar products.
Access to selling space is also emerging as a challenge. Many traders operate on pavements outside established shops, often through informal arrangements that require monthly payments to secure space.
Hawkers typically begin operations in the early evening and continue into the night, citing reduced enforcement activity during these hours. However, some traders raised concerns over occasional disruptions by county enforcement officers.
Weather conditions have also affected operations, with rain and dust forcing traders to close early or exposing goods to damage due to the lack of permanent structures.
Despite these challenges, the perfume hawking business continues to attract new entrants, underlining its role as a key fallback option in Nairobi’s informal economy.
