Maendeleo ya Wanawake chair Fatuma Kilas addressing journalists during the Sunday demonstrations. [Photo/ Victor Wanaswa]
A section of angry female traders in Madogo area, Tana River County on Sunday took the streets demanding that the land being occupied by National Youth Service be reverted back to the community.
The demonstrators, mostly women, claimed that the land was allocated to NYS in the 80’s by the then Tana River County Council as transit camp during the construction of the Nairobi-Garissa road.
Led by area Member of County Assembly Abdi Ergamso, the demonstrator gave a 7-day ultimatum to NYS top officials to surrender back the land failure to which they will hold demonstrations every Sunday until their request is granted.
Ergamso said that the land was allocated to the female traders by the Tana River County government and was meant for the construction of a modern market.
“During my term, we set aside Sh100 million for the construction of the market but the NYS refused to vacate the land,” said Ergamso.
“It’s on record that the defunct county council of Tana River then being the custodian gave the piece of land to the women traders of Madogo. We are giving NYS a seven-day ultimatum to vacate the land,” he added.
On her part, Maendeleo ya Wanawake chair Fatuma Kilas said the community was ready to offer NYS another piece of land in the outskirts of the town so that the contractor commences his job.
“We (women) are tired of conducting our small businesses in front of shops and under the scorching sun yet we have a conducive environment to put up a modern market,” said Fatuma.
At one time, the demonstrators tried to gain entrance into the camp but were blocked the NYS personnel who hurriedly locked the gate.
In July, Devolution Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri promised to meet the NYS officials and area leaders with a view to resolving the stalemate.
Kunjiri assured the residents that their interest will take precedence.