Small-scale traders operating along Nyamira-Rangenya road have defied a directive by the county government to relocate to inner parts of the town.
Speaking to HiviSasa.com, the traders accused the county government of arrogance and vowed to defend their ‘rights’, opposing the proposed new rates of submitting Sh70 per day to the authorities.
According to them, the site along the roadside gives them a quick access to their clients, besides making it easy for them to reach their daily sales target.
They accused the reinforcement officers of forceful eviction and threatened to camp outside the governor’s office to seek a clear answer from the top office.
“I have sold along this highway for a long time and therefore it’s insincere for someone to come and purport to evict us. This place is easily accessible to our clients and any plans to move us from here will actually injure us financially,” said Felix Obuya.
“These reinforcement officers are taking the law into their own hands and this is totally unacceptable. We will demonstrate to the governor’s office to seek immediate address if the oppression by them persists,” added Willis Momanyi.
However, the assistant head of reinforcement officers, defended the officers by terming the orders ‘executive’ as the officers were only implementing.
“We do not come up with policies. This is purely administrative and it will be therefore important if they seek address from the county government. For now, we will continue doing our job because selling by the roadside exposes them into risks,” he said.