Nairobi, Feb. 6 -- Manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers are grappling with cash flow hitches on reduced demand for goods, reflecting the deteriorating pace of business activities.

The Stanbic Bank Kenya Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) survey showed manufacturers and retailers were the main drivers behind the fall in the pace of business activities for the fifth month running in January.

The worsened performance by manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers was despite firms in other sectors, including agriculture, construction, and service sectors, posting increased activity in January.

"The drop in buying activity was generally driven by a reduction in new orders. Indeed, the manufacturing and wholesale and retail sectors, which ...