Hawkers operating in the Central Business District (CBD) in Nakuru town have vowed to protest Governor Kinuthia Mbugua’s directive to have them forcefully evicted as from January 1, 2015.
In an interview with this writer, the street vendors expressed disgust at Gov Mbugua’s change-of-heart even after they signed an agreement with the county administration to provide them with a suitable alternative place to relocate to.
Led by the Hawkers Association Chairman Simon Ole Nasieku, the vendors blamed the county administration for planning to relocate more than 10,000 hawkers operating from the streets to the new Wakulima market complex which they said can only accommodate about 2,000 people.
“We are strongly opposed to hawkers being sent to the already congested market which already houses wholesalers,”said Nasieku.
Nasieku said the market which was constructed at a cost of over Sh45 million was not convenient for the street hawkers and urged the county government to consider providing them with a suitable place before issuing eviction ultimatums.
The vendors want the county government to solve the issue at hand and stop the threats to close down their businesses.
The sentiments of the traders were echoed by Flamingo ward MCA Moses Gichangi who said the informal sector played an important role in the economy of the county and urged county administration to consider relocating the vendors to a suitable location.
“I know the vendors are not opposed to the relocation, but how do you relocate traders to an already congested environment?” Gichangi wondered.
The governor used Jamhuri Day celebrations at Afraha stadium to issue an ultimatum of 20 days to the hawkers to relocate to the new market or be forcefully evicted.
The county boss said that the complex was ready and the hawkers were expected to relocate imediately.
Governor Mbugua stated that order must be restored, and all small-scale traders forced out of the town centre, as their makeshift structures contribute to insecurity and ruin the face of the town.