A group of Kisumu markets’ leaders and traders have strongly condemned demonstrations against the County government by a section of business practitioners.
Kibuye Market Chairperson, Ms. Matengo aka Nyaramba, stressed that the sticking issue is all about tussle over market stalls by landlords, who are not carrying out businesses within the markets.
“For many years, our main challenge has been the cartels and cabals in Kisumu and not the traders themselves. Before the reign of Kisumu County Governor, Prof. Anyang Nyong’o, the cartels used to charge them Sh 500 per day and they were sold stalls at between Sh 20,000-30,000, with her as an example,’’ she informed.
Nyong’o, she continued; “helped us to kick-out the cartels and we are now market stall owners in places like Uhuru, Jubilee, and Chichwa. The said landlords had erected containers atop the sewer lines and roads adjacent to the newly built markets.’’
Nyaramba added that the landlords’ have been against every city’s development planning and those who intend to go on strike are those who are at the Kisumu Bus Park, set to be relocated to Mowlem-Nyamasaria.
This position was affirmed by Jubilee Market Chairman, Martin Oluoch, who said that they are not privy and party to the demos, as it will highly affect the conducive business environment currently being enjoyed in the City.
“We don’t have an umbrella chairman for the markets’ traders in Kisumu, but every market has its leadership. No one has approached us or delivered to us an official letter requesting us to picket,’’ he emphasized, while addressing the press at the precincts of the Milimani Law Courts in Kisumu, Thursday.
The protesters on Wednesday staged demonstrations in the CBD marching to Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o’s office, to seek his audience and deliver their petition, demanding the sacking of the City Manager.
The group asked the Governor to put in place necessary, effective, and efficient strategies and policies that respond to citizens’ demands requisite for good governance.
Charles Nyambega, a trader at Jubilee Market, urged the County government, to create more spaces for traders as Betty Anyango of Uhuru Market, urged fellow traders, to come to sell their wares inside the markets, rather than being outside.
By Rolex Omondi
