The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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Rising tomato prices across Kenya are forcing households to change how they cook, with many replacing the once-essential ingredient with cheaper alternatives.
Some families have completely dropped tomatoes, relying instead on onions, spices, and traditional cooking methods to keep meals affordable. Others are turning to vegetables like carrots and beetroot, which they say are more economical and versatile.
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“This is now a full ‘tomato economy’,” said one social media user, noting that even a single tomato is now used sparingly like a luxury item.
With prices reaching between Sh15 and Sh25 per tomato in some markets, consumers say they are increasingly using seasoning cubes and spices to maintain flavour in meals. The price surge has been linked to poor weather, crop damage, pests, reduced planting, and high transport costs.
“We must buy spices,” said one consumer, while others noted that onions and cubes can still make decent meals without tomatoes.
The shift has exposed how deeply tomatoes were embedded in Kenyan cuisine, especially in stews and traditional dishes, but also highlights growing creativity in home cooking.
Nutrition experts say households can still maintain balanced diets by using other vegetables like hoho, carrots, and indigenous foods, while cautioning against overuse of processed substitutes.
They also urge families to embrace food diversification and better meal planning as a way to cope with rising food costs.
