Officials of Ojino Okewo market in Kisumu county have defended themselves against allegations of mismanaging the market.
Market chairman George Adino said on Tuesday the allegations that he is running the market as a personal property were baseless and unfounded.
On Friday, some traders accused the market officials of mismanagement and abandoning original development plans because of selfish interests.
The traders, led by vice chairman Antony Oduor, said the officials have abdicated their roles and are minting money from ‘strangers’ who have invaded the market.
He said the officials poor leadership had failed Governor Anyang' Nyong'o's intention to settle traders in a conducive environment.
The Kisumu county department of trade had allocated spaces to original traders who were trading at the market to build modern structures.
Adino in his defence said all the 247 traders were allocated space contrary to claims that some lacked spaces.
“We have the documents for verification and those in doubt are free to request them. We strongly believe in transparency and accountability,” he said.
Adino said traders making the allegations were the ones sabotaging development.
He spoke on Tuesday when he was accompanied by the market secretary Francis Oyamo and development chairman Thomas Okemba.
Adino said some of them wanted to be allocated double spaces together with their wives and children.
“It is total witch-hunt and blackmail. We have declined to be bribed for double allocation,” he said.
He said traders were required to pay Sh42,000 for stalls before completion and Sh78,000 after completion.
Hotel owners were required to pay Sh157,000 before completion and Sh200,000 upon completion.
"Some of the people making the allegations have even tried to bribe us with Sh100,000 to give them more stalls but we have declined. One of them has three stalls including one which he has grabbed from a widow," Adino said.
Oyamo said all traders have been allocated spaces including those who were displaced from other areas within the city.
The secretary dismissed claims that county officials own stalls at the market.