Hawkers affected by the recent eviction exercise from the Nakuru Central Business District (CBD) have now started invading residential areas.
Nakuru Street Traders Association Chairman Simon Ole Nasieku says that most of the hawkers who were evicted from the CBD could not afford to raise the Sh 7,000 for the new structures and that is why they are being forced to venture into new areas away from the CBD.
“Most of our members could not afford the amount imposed by the county government for acquiring space in the new structures and locations. They are now stranded and are just trying to explore new avenues,” said Ole Nasieku.
He noted that most of the affected hawkers had abandoned business and were languishing in poverty as they do not have a source of livelihood. He added that many had also resigned from the association and retired to their rural areas to try farming.
A new street trader, Benson Mwaura, who sells second hand clothes along the Nakuru-Nyahururu highway near White House estate said business was not doing well in residential areas because most people who come to purchase items in the CBD are not residents of Nakuru town but outsiders.