A Kajiado court has fined hawkers Sh50, 000 over the vandalism of properties belonging to the county government.
The court ordered the hawkers to pay the said amount after they engaged in the malpractice on Thursday.
The accused person’s risk a jail term of six months if they fail to pay the said amount to the county government over the destruction of property.
The hawkers stormed the upcoming Sh120 million Kitengela market before they destroyed the same. The county inspectorate officers had rounded up 37 of the hawkers before arresting them.
The suspects were taken to court and charged with destruction of public property as well as incitement following the incident.
Kajiado Trade Executive Alvin Kimani said has confirmed that the hawkers who are remaining in the streets have now been asked to relocate to the stadium as the county government seeks for ways to settle them in strategic places for them to conduct their businesses.
“Those still in the streets are being incited by some political operatives and we shall not be intimidated or blackmailed. The new market will not be sabotaged by politicians. We have said all traders will operate from one site until the market is complete,” said the county minister, as quoted by Standard.
The county government has warned the residents against engaging in such acts. In a notice released to the media houses, the government ordered the locals not to attempt any indecent act or else they would face the full force of the law.