By mid-October, racks in Nairobi’s sports shops rarely stay full for long. Marathon season sends a rush of customers looking for sneakers they can trust on the road, whether they’re serious athletes or just joining the city’s growing fitness culture. Sellers say this is when shoes move fastest, from the Central Business District (CBD) stalls to mall boutiques.
The spike is more than just seasonal excitement. For many Kenyans, sneakers have become part of everyday life, used for running, gym workouts, weekend walks or simply a corporate look.