Traders at Daraja Mbili Market in Kisii town have issued a two-week ultimatum to the county government to build them stalls or they hold protests.
On Thursday, their spokesman Daniel Ontiri said their working environment needs urgent attention, adding that holding demonstrations is the only way of pushing the government into action.
Early this month, Governor James Ongwae promised the traders that his government will construct stalls for them at the market.
However, trader Martha Kerubo wondered how the county uses the monies it collects from them as levies every Monday and Thursday if it cannot improve conditions at the market.
“We face many challenges and hoped that the county would listen to us. We have now run out of patience. Today is a market day and the county officials have done their part of collecting levies. Why then is the county taking long to start the project? posed Martha Kerubo.
“This is a rainy season. On Monday I incurred great losses after my clothes were rained on. We want the county to construct the stalls for us and save us from further losses. We are giving it two weeks to start the project or we will demonstrate,” said Meshack Omariba.
Despite Daraja Mbili being a major market in the area, it doesn't have a single building. Most traders conduct their businesses in open space while the lucky ones have made makeshift stalls.