A small-scale hotel owner in Makaburini, Kakamega town, is nursing injuries after he was allegedly assaulted by a customer following a disagreement over a KSh10 price increase on a plate of ugali and omena.
The businessman, identified as Omwami, said the customer had ordered ugali and fried omena at his hotel, expecting to pay KSh90, the previous price.
However, Omwami had raised the price to KSh100, citing the rising cost of food and other operating expenses.
According to the hotel owner, the customer had already paid but became angry when he was informed that the meal now cost KSh100 and demanded his KSh10 change.
Instead of accepting the new price, the customer allegedly turned violent and attacked him, leaving him nursing injuries.
Omwami reported the incident at Kakamega Police Station and said he was pursuing the matter with the authorities.
“My customer was not expecting the new increase, which is why he descended on me. I have reported the matter to the police,” Omwami said.
The hotel owner attributed the price adjustment to the harsh economic environment, saying rising food prices had forced small businesses to increase the cost of meals.
He appealed to young people and customers to avoid taking matters into their own hands whenever they disagree with traders over prices.
Omwami said he understood the frustrations of his customers but noted that businesses were also struggling to survive amid the difficult economic conditions.
He added that the high cost of living had affected his business, with the number of customers visiting his hotel declining significantly.
The alleged assault has renewed concerns over the growing tension between consumers and small traders as businesses grapple with rising operating costs and declining purchasing power.
