A section of Thika town hawkers have supported a bill proposed to the National Assembly by Murang’a County Governor Mwangi Wa Iria.
Speaking to the press on Wednesday in Thika town, the hawkers said that the bill was long overdue as they have over the years suffered a lot for lack of comprehensive programme to accommodate them.
The hawkers said that they have been ignored by the authorities when it comes to planning.
"County askaris have always taken advantage of this confusion to fleece us and seize our merchandise causing us huge losses,” Jane Wambui, eggs and sausages vendor said.
John Mwaura said that hawkers should be given identity cards and a conducive environment created for their activities.
“The hawking menace can never be solved through hunting us like criminals. It should be properly organized across the country where we get facilitated to work and also generate income for county governments," he said.
Lucy Wanjiku asked that hawkers be allowed to contribute to the bill as they are the main stakeholders and the bill affects them directly.
Wa-Iria last week said that he plans to sponsor a Hawkers Bill in Parliament to protect informal traders noting that they were major economy drivers.
"Most urban spaces are not designed to empower people or provide vibrant places where opportunities for small entrepreneurs and hawkers can trade and manufacture at viable locations," said Wairia.
He added: "To solve the issue of unemployment we need to provide viable areas for self-employment opportunities where hawkers can thrive."
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