Nairobi, Feb. 17 -- There are two kinds of shoppers who frequent Eastleigh, Nairobi. One is the kind that cares about affordability and quality, and another that cares less if they are buying knockoffs.

The first group somewhat loathes the chaos of Eastleigh, but it goes there anyway, having realised that few to no shopping malls rival its pricing and some highly-priced wares sold in the city centre are sold at a fraction of the cost in the populous shopping district.

The second group is perennial customers. These are mostly traders who buy in volumes, at wholesale prices to resell.

These buyers come from afar, including Tanzania to buy anything from sugar and cooking oil to curtains and carpets.

Over the years, Eastleigh has become a...