Mombasa governor aspirant and Nyali MP Hezron Awiti at a past event. [Photo/softkenya.com]
Mombasa governor aspirant Hezron Awiti has promised to address the plight of hawkers in the county if he wins the upcoming August 8 elections.
Top on Awiti's list is building markets for the hawkers in all the six constituencies in the county during his first year in office, the Star has reported.“Our ambition as Vibrant Democratic Party (VDP) is to set a market in all the six Mombasa sub-counties,” said Awiti at Mackinon market on Saturday.The Nyali MP accused the Governor Hassan Joho led administration of failing to address the challenges faced by the small traders.He further accused the county government of failing to secure the Mwembe Tayari market for the small traders.“Some of these people would have been housed there and sold their goods uninterrupted. They have also failed to expand other markets.Alternatively, there should have been a new market by now,” he added.The VDP candidate made the remarks when he joined a group of 800 hawkers in a 10km walk as part of an initiative he called ‘Hawkers’ Day’.They walked from Kongowea, through to Buxton, Markiti and Majengo markets.The traders were drawn from Buxton, Kongowea, Mackinon, Mwembe Tayari and Majengo markets.According to Awiti, the walk was to demand justice for hawkers.On their part, a section of the hawkers said they had quit business for other activities to avoid confrontations with county officials.“We feel betrayed by our county leaders,” stated Athman Rosta, a hawker.