Maasai Mara University turns into Ghost Town after closure
Narok, Monday, July 10, 2023
KNA by Ann Salaton
The business community around Maasai Mara University has been hit hard by the ongoing three months student holiday with many shops closed down or registering decreased sales
Seemingly, Maasai Mara University has not only opened a space for the locals to quench their thirst for knowledge but has also opened a space for locals to enjoy a brisk market that comes when students are in session.
The academic institution that boasts about 10, 000 students has been a catalyst for the springing up of businesses mostly hotels, restaurants, foodstuff vendors, and boutiques among others.
However, the annual long holiday has compelled the traders to get relatively smaller profit margins while others have shut down their businesses.
Speaking during an interview with Kenya News Agency, Gideon Kirui, the owner of a shop dubbed “Keep-It-Up General Shop” located in one of the university gates explained how the business space has changed since the students left the area for the long holiday.
“When the Maasai Mara University academic sessions are still on, our businesses indeed thrive. But when the university’s academic sessions are temporarily off as is the case now, we suffer in terms of the profit we realize,” explained Kirui.
He revealed that when students are in session, he makes a profit of over Sh. 800 per day. However, the profit margin has reduced to below Sh. 300.
Kurui shares the same challenges with Ms. Monica Sadera who owns a snack shop near the university.
The young mother of two said she has temporarily quit the snack business to concentrate on other casual jobs that would give her fast money, as she awaits the re-opening of the school in September this year.
“Most of my customers are students who purchase snacks on their way to the university. When the university is closed for a long holiday, I hardly get any customers. This is what made me look for alternative jobs as I await the institution to open,” she said.
Courtesy ; K. N. A
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