Duale faults plan to evict traders, calls for amicable solution

Garissa County Government had urged traders selling their wares on roadsides to relocate to designated market stalls.

by STEPHEN ASTARIKO

North-eastern23 February 2025 - 19:18

In Summary

Duale said for such a move to be taken, all stakeholders must be brought on board.
He called on the county commissioner, area MP Dekow Mohamed Governor Nathif Jama to convene an urgent meeting to resolve issues around the market.

**Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has a word with Garissa County Commissioner Mohamed Mwabudzo.**

Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Sunday faulted the planned eviction of traders operating in Soko Mugdi and makeshift stalls along access roads at the Garissa market.

This is after Garissa County Government urged traders to vacate and relocate to designated market stalls.

But speaking at Madrasa Khadija during a graduation ceremony, the former Garissa Township MP said for such a move to be taken, all stakeholders must be brought on board.

Duale was accompanied by Garissa County Commissioner Mohamed Mwabudzo.

The CS who was elected four times in the constituency noted that during electioneering periods everyone rushed to traders while kneeling and calling them sweet names only to abandon them after elections.

He said that it was wrong for leaders to resort to harassing and frustrating the very same people they purport to lead.

“On this one, I want to totally disagree with those spearheading the exercise. It cannot be that leaders go down to ask for votes to mama mboga, boda boda operators during campaigns and when they assume leadership positions they start harassing them,” Duale said.

*Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale speaking at Madrasa Khadija during a graduation ceremony.*

He added: “So many people who are leaders today have been brought up by their mothers through this market, I would not allow anyone to harass them or evict them. If any exercise is to be carried out let it be done in a structured and smooth way that will not lead to displacements,” Duale said.

He called on the county commissioner, area MP Dekow Mohamed Governor Nathif Jama to convene an urgent meeting to resolve issues around the market.

Duale said President William Ruto rose to the presidency after he was voted in by hustlers including Mama mboga, boda boda operators, and milk sellers amongst others noting that they are working hard in extreme conditions for their families and need to be harassed.

The county government two weeks ago ordered the eviction of traders who are selling their wares on the roadsides along the famous market.

“All licenses of shops who sell their products outside their shops should immediately be cancelled, and all those who are selling on road reserves should be moved immediately,” the governor said while addressing the traders at the market.

However, Duale asked the governor to leave mothers selling on the roadsides adding that he would talk KURA and KeNHA to erect speed bumps to ensure vehicles move at slow speed to avoid accidents.

“Why evict these mothers, what have they done, they wake up so early and only get Sh200 or Sh300 after sitting under the scorching sun the whole day,” Duale said.

A walk at the market showed that the municipal enforcement officers were strategically placed at all entrances to ensure no one sells on the roadsides, they have also erected a barrier at the main entrance to ensure no vehicles get into the market.