Street vendors defy odds to cash-in on festive season

Street vending could be illegal in the City of Kigali, but the quest to put bread on the table is not. For this reason, street vendors have for long used the proverbial Ineka bird trick of flying without perching because men have learnt to be sharp shooters.However, the hide-and-seek game seemed to have been abandoned as the desire to cash-in on the this festive season overcame caution.They believe they could earn a fortune if they escape law enforcers, especially during this season.“I was arrested about nine times this year, but this time round, I have to make sure I make it up to the New Year’s Day without being arrested. I had to come up with new tricks of ensuring that I get money without being arrested. I am a family man and this is the time to make money because people are spending,” said Jean Kanani, who operates between the Ministry of Finance headquarters and Serena Hotel.Kanani sells small merchandise ranging from wallets and belts to perfumes. During this festive period, he is making between Rwf5,000 and Rwf7,000 profit a day, which he says is almost double the profit he makes on a normal day.The City of Kigali usually seeks assistance from Police and the local defence personnel to enforce the law. Vendors are sometimes arrested, fined and their goods confiscated.Kanani said during this period Police are more vigilant and he has to be careful not to end the year in custody.Another vendor, who identified himself only as Sibomana, said he has to operate against all odds during the festive season.“I deal in second hand clothes, and this is the time when people need to change their wardrobe and get new attire for the big days. If I missed out on this period, I wouldn’t get money to celebrate like others on the New Year’s Day,” he said.Market vs street tanglesSeveral market traders have previously complained about street vendors, saying they take their customers because they sell same items cheaply since they do not pay taxes.And, despite incurring losses when their goods are confiscated, vendors keep returning to the streets on grounds that they cannot afford renting a place to run their business.“If I am to be based in one place, I would need to pay rent up-front, then taxes and I would rely on clients in the same neighbourhood. But when I venture into the streets, I get all sorts of clients,” said Solange Mukashema, who operates in the Nyabugogo area.According to the vendors, those who are arrested are detained overnight.Bruno Rangira, the director of media and communication at the City of Kigali, said there should be no excuse for street vending.“They suffocate the legitimate businesses since they don’t pay taxes and so their products are cheaper, they also cause congestion on the streets, litter places they operate from and there are criminals posing as vendors,” said Rangira.

National

Street vendors defy odds to cash-in on festive season