Water vendors in Naivasha have been urged to form self help groups to ensure that they can address their grievances.
Chairman of the Naivasha Donkey Owners Association Joseph Thendu noted that majority of the vendors, who transported their water with donkeys, were always in serious problems but could not raise the issues.
“They have always sought to have their problem solved as individuals and they are not taken seriously. However, if they agreed to unite and form a union or Sacco, they will be in a better position to even negotiate their stand with the local council,” he added
Thendu was addressing the vendors at site Open grounds, where he challenged them to invest the money they had into Sacco’s.
“We urge you to think of investing the cash into buying equipment that you will use in your day to day activities. In fact, such groups have enabled people to buy land or even start big businesses,” he added
He went on to say that majority of the workers did not challenge themselves into thinking big.
“Many people have become comfortable with water vending and have refused to think beyond the water selling. They have refused to challenge themselves. We appeal to you to continue being ambitious and creative,” he added
John Muriu, a water vendor, echoed the same, saying the calls for a united front were long overdue.
“I have worked in this business for more than seven years but I have never thought that we could unite and form a Sacco. This meeting has challenged me to think of the impossible,” he added.