Fresh produce traders in Ruiru market have decried failure by the county government of Kiambu to collect garbage in time.
They have claimed this has created uncomfortable environment to live in and low sales as customers keep off the market due to unpleasant smell.
Joyce Wamuyu, a trader in the market, said the market has become hostile as the uncollected garbage attract magpies and crows that come to scavege. "Life in this market has become very hostile to us and our little children due to scaveging birds that infest this place whenever the garbage is not collected," said Wamuyu.
According to John Kahiga who sells fresh fruits near the garbage collection point, the unpleasant smell from uncollected garbage has made patrons that frequent the market to keep off.
"I have incurred losses as many fruits go bad since they are not bought in time as customers avoid the market. We always remit our levy on time without failing and the county government should timely collect garbage and enhance service delivery, " he added.
But according to Biashara MCA Joseph Mutuga, traders are to take blame for not observing hygiene practices in the market.
"We have traders who dispose off their spoilt produce irresponsibly and in undesignated areas thus making it difficult for county workers to collect them sufficiently," he argued. The traders said they will stop paying levies if the county does not improve service delivery.