The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Busia Chapter has raised concern over what they term as laxity by the County government to relocate more than 300 active retail traders at Mabinju/Mau Mau shopping centre in Bunyala Sub County.
In a statement signed by the Busia KNCCI Vice Chairman, Sylvanus Mbogo on Tuesday, the union noted that the amount of business lost due to floods during each season was enormous.
“Since the town was submerged three months ago, no efforts have been made to relocate the affected businesses and work out formula to compensate the affected traders,” read part of the statement.
Mbogo blamed the relevant authorities especially the National Disaster Committee and Busia County government for failing to address the plight of the Kenyan tax payers.
“We wish to call upon development partners, well-wishers and community leaders to come to their aid,” he said, adding that the County government should identify an alternative area, fence it and allocate the affected traders,” he said adding that the affected families should also be resettled.
He also called for a waiver of payment of plot rates by the affected traders, adding that lending institutions should also consider writing off the loans owed.
Mabinju is a business centre for the larger Bunyala South with more than 300 retail enterprises ranging from shops, market, hotels, hardware outlets, bars, rental units, church buildings besides hosting Ndekwe and Musoma beaches.
The area has suffered from Lake Victoria back flow for the past three months coupled with the current floods following heavy rains being experienced in most parts of the country.
By Salome Alwanda
