The county Government of Laikipia has issued a ban on hawking of foodstuffs in a bid to contain and prevent the spread of Cholera.
In a notice to the public, Chief Officer in charge of Health, Dr. Donald Mugoi directed that any contravention of the ban would lead to prosecution.
“Those selling food products such as Mutura, sausages, samosas, roasted maize, yams, arrow roots, whole fish and fish balls, puddings and boiled eggs risked prosecution,” said Mugoi
However a spot check at Nyahururu town on Thursday proved otherwise after the normal business of food hawking continued to take place despite the stern warning on the same.
Some hawkers and their customers protested the ban arguing that this was where they earned their livelihood and the ban would cost them a lot.
John Maina, a fruit vendor asked the County Government to think of a way to solve the problem other than issuing a ban would be a threat to their livelihoods especially to those in towns.
“This is our office, we get food, pay rents and school fees through hawking, I request the government to lift the ban on sale of foods, otherwise it’s going to cost us a lot,” said Maina.
However, others claimed not to have heard of the ban issued yesterday but as law abiding citizens were ready to adhere to the order.
“I personally have not heard of the ban, but though this will affect us we have no option other than to abide,” said Lucy Wanjiku a hawker in Nyahururu.
However the public health office in Nyahururu said that their officers were on the ground placing the said notice.
By David Njoroge/Anne Sabuni
