Roadside flower vendors speak of uncertain sales and daily struggles

According to Rithare, some days bring customers, while others end without making a single sale. One of the biggest challenges he faces is operating in public spaces, where county authorities occasionally ask traders to relocate. Moving the flowers from one place to another is not easy, as they are delicate and require constant care to remain fresh.

Rainy weather also affects his business.

"Saa ingine mvua ikinyesha inabebwa na mvua. Mtu anaweza pitia hapa anachukua nyungu mbili ama maua tano," Rithare said.

When business is slow, he takes the remaining flowers home instead of letting them go to waste.

"Badala ya kukaa idle na ndoo, napata unga hapa. Hakuna pahali ingine naeza kufanya kazi. Kitu mzuri kuhusu hii kazi ni unajiajiri mwenyewe," he added.

Bethwel Woba, who has been in the flower business for eight years, says the challenges are equally demanding. According to Woba, prolonged dry seasons make it difficult to keep flowers fresh due to water shortages. He says water from the Nairobi River is sometimes unsuitable because it damages the flowers. He also cites theft as a major concern.

"Msimu wa jua unakosa maji ya kutumia, na ukitumia maji ya Nairobi River at times inachoma maua. Kuibiwa pia huwa inahappen kwa sababu Nairobi hakukosekani idlers. Kuna watu wanangoja ufunge kazi," he said.

Like many small-scale traders, Woba says unpredictable customer turnout makes it difficult to earn a stable income.

"Huwezi expect customer kila siku. Unaweza hata kaa siku nne bila kupata customer, na lazima ukuje umwage maji," he said.

Even with the challenges, the two traders continue to show up every day, hoping that the next customer will walk in. For them, flower vending is more than just a business, it's a source of livelihood that puts food on the table, even on the toughest days.