The present study aims to identify potentials and limitations in accessibility to basic consumer goods in the Mt. Kenya region. The empirical data is collected to show differences in accessibility to four selected basic consumer products, namely salt, detergent, second-hand T-shirts and mobile phones. This is researched through a household level case study in different areas and along gradients of small, medium and big towns. The study focuses on centre - periphery gradients, refers to poverty scales, points out social and organizational strategies and distinguishes visible gender patterns. Furthermore, supply chains of consumer goods are researched and different steps along the value chain are analyzed.

Lilian Julia Trechsel was born in Winterthur and is living now in Thun. She completed her degrees in Physical Education and Geography at University of Bern (Switzerland). Even as a child she traveled with her parents to East Africa what attracted her interest for this region. Further journeys and work brought her several times to Kenya.