ABSTRACT
When the Kenyan government imposed lockdowns to slow down the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, close to 2 million Kenyans lost their jobs by the end of 2020. To cushion the plight of Kenyans, the government introduced tax cuts for individuals and businesses. However, the impact of these measures on low-income earners was minimal, primarily because the measures were not targeted at the informal sector. Consequently, many of the Kenyans in urban areas who had lost their jobs turned to fruit and vegetable vending from their vehicles on roadsides. The vendors were supplied by family-owned farms that had lost their customer base due to the government lockdowns and business closures, such as hotels and restaurants. Through the vending, many jobless Kenyans resumed receiving income and were able to sustain themselves for some months. Ordinarily, such activities would require licensing by the national and county governments. However, by being mobile, the vendors evaded paying fees. This, in turn, denied the government revenue. This situation highlighted the weakness of the social protection system in Kenya and the urgent need for reforms.
