The county government of Nyamira has been urged to improve sanitation in Keroka market, which is allegedly threatening the health of traders and their customers.
On Thursday, several traders accused the county government of allegedly ignoring the market, leading to constant dumping of litter in its environs hence exposing residents to health risks.
They threatened to boycott paying taxes if the county government failed to act by next week, besides hinting a possible mass action against the county government.
“This is the largest market probably in the county but its sanitation is wanting. The county must take responsibility to initiate constant cleaning since we pay taxes. Failure to which, we are going to boycott payment of taxes or even hold mass action against the government,” said Mr. Peter Ombati, chairman of the traders.
According to Ombati, his committee had raised the issue severally with senior officials from the county government, but no concrete action had been taken.
“I have raised the issue on a number of times but the county officials have ignored it repeatedly. This is completely improper and that is why we are bitter with it,” he added.
However, County Health officer Mr. Douglas Bosire could neither admit nor dismiss the concerns raised by the traders, but called for improvement of sanitation since it was a core mandate of the county.
“The county is mandated to ensure its people are healthy and that is why as the health sector, we call for sanitation every time. Good sanitation leads to good health,” he told this writer on phone.