Small scale itinerant traders in Eldoret on Wednesday accused county askaris of harassment.
Mary Wambui who hawks tomatoes in the town said that they have been engaging in battles with county government askaris in the recent past accusing them of destroying their wares.
“The askaris forcefully demand for our licenses. If you don't have one all our goods are scattered in the streets. Some items get destroyed in the process and can’t be sold anymore,” said Wambui.
The hawkers are calling upon the county government of Uasin Gishu to intervene and come up with a lasting solution to their predicament.
“We are asking our governor to come and rescue us. Otherwise, we will soon be left with nothing to sell and hence no business at all,” said Phillip Wekesa who sells secondhand clothes.
The hawkers are also accusing the askaris of mishandling street vendors who already have licenses.
“Most of us here have come to fend for our families. If they destroy our goods like this, what will our children eat in the evening?" said Wambui.
Over the past few days there has been crackdown to rid Eldoret streets of hawkers operating in unauthorised areas