Traders at Mama Ngina waterfront expect good times

About 100 business people are upbeat that they will reap big after they were allowed to operate from the renovated Mama Ngina Waterfront in Mombasa.

The traders, who were allowed to operate from the new stalls from Christmas eve, said the environment is better since it is cleaner and modern.

But the traders said things would have been even better had the stalls been built near the shores of the ocean.

BUSINESS LOW

Speaking to the Nation, the deputy chairman of the Mama Ngina Recreational Park Traders Association Salim Bawaziri said business is still slow despite the area having been upgraded.

The traders also said that the stalls are located far from the parking lot where most customers are found.

Mr Bawaziri said that if more stalls are to be built, they should be near the sea shore.

“We were allocated the stalls but the space is very small and we’ve been forced to display some of our products outside. Also, if businesses deal in similar products, it becomes hard to sell,” he added.

THANKFUL

Meanwhile, Mr Kennedy Mwambulu, a trader, thanked the government for letting them operate at the park during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

“We reaped from the festive season as visitors and locals thronged the park. Business has slowed down but we are waiting for more tourists and other visitors,” Mr Mwambulu said.

“Before the area was renovated, it was not that appealing. But now we will have a chance to showcase and sell Swahili foods and snacks such as roasted cassava, cassava crisps, roasted sweet potatoes, coconut water, fried potatoes and other foods,” he added.

Mr Antony Muthiani, a tourist, said he was pleasantly surprised to see how clean the park is.