Laikipia County government has relocated some traders from Nyahururu open air market to the Nyahururu stadium in an effort geared at keeping coronavirus at bay.
This is to reduce human traffic especially during the Tuesday and Friday market days amid government’s directive for people to observe social distance and also avoid crowded places to avert contracting the COVID-19 disease.
However the move was received with mixed reactions as traders expressed diverse views on how the relocation exercise was executed.
It was a welcome move to some owing to the fact that it would create hygienic space in the market to avert the spread of the novel coronavirus, while others felt the relocation was discriminately done.
“The county government ought to have moved us all to the new location as we fear counting losses as local residents are not yet informed of the relocation of some of us hence likely to seek products at the market leaving behind those selling at the stadium,” said Winnie Muthoni, a Tomato vendor.
She noted that this will leave them in a state of confusion as they have to search and hunt for their customers in order to ensure they too eke out a living form their businesses.
Grace Njeri reiterated Muthonis’ sentiments adding that the new location was unhygienic as it lacked vital services like a public toilet, water among others.
“The need for space is necessary since it will ensure that both traders and customers do not come too close as we undertake our business. This will also see our market not closed like we have seen in other parts of the country due to overcrowding,” said Jecinta Njeri another trader.
By Jesse Mwitwa and Charles Njoroge
