Shoe shiners in Thika Town have appealed to the county government of Kiambu to build them sheds where they can lease at an affordable rate.
Speaking in the town on Thursday, the shoe shiners said that lack of sheds where they can operate was a major setback to their businesses.
"We request Governor William Kabogo to build us sheds where we can go about our activities without many problems. Operating on verandahs and in front of other people's business is not good considering that ours is also a business activity too," Josphat Mureithi, a shoe shiner near Magunandu supermarket said.
The shoe shiners also say that bad weather has been affecting their operations negatively.
"Like now it is raining when our business is usually at the peak. But you find that because we lack a good shelter, we are also running away from the rain like anybody else," Samuel Kibe, another shoe shiner said.
The small businessmen argue that the county government collects levies from them and should provide them with services just like it does to other people.
"We have been depending on shoeshine polish companies who sometimes sponsor us with kiosks that can only accommodate a few of us. That is why we need the county government to step in and assist us now that we pay levies like anybody else," said Stanley Kimani, a shoe shiner along Uhuru street.