The Kenya Railways Corporation has temporarily given seven acres of its land within Kitale town to ease congestion among the business community in Kitale town.
The Trans Nzoia County Commissioner (CC), Samson Ojwang while addressing the business community in his office on Monday, said that the piece of land will help to relocate traders of open air market within Kitale town with aims of following the ministry of health guidelines on social distance.
Ojwang said that the move will help the traders continue with their business as they also protect themselves against the deadly global pandemic.
According to the CC, the government is committed in supporting the business community to ease financial hardship that has hit Kenyans.
He said that the temporary allocation will be done by the department of physical planning in conjunction with his office after thoroughly vetting with the assistance of chamber of commerce.
The Kitale Municipal Board Chair, Martin Waliula said that proper mechanisms have been put in place to ensure that all small scale traders are given spaces to enable them do business.
According to Waliaula, hawkers and open air market traders will be given first priority at the Railway ground space.
The Public Vehicles Owners Association Chairman, Mathew Njoroge asked the county commissioner to identify various grounds outside the town for vehicles to drop passengers as a way of decongesting the town.
Meanwhile, the CC has warned bar owners sneaking clients in their premises during this time of the pandemic that those found will face the full force of the law and be quarantined at their own cost.
He reveled that screening of essential services providers will be done during the night to ensure that the pandemic is contained.
Ojwang said that records of passengers leaving and entering the Kitale town is ongoing to help in contact tracing in the event of any Covid-19 case confirmation.
By Pauline Ikanda
