- Kisumu City manager Abala Wanga on Thursday said that the affected traders have been offered alternative spaces to sell their wares at the modern Uhuru Market Complex.
- The city manager at the same time directed matatus operating at the Kisumu Boys, Kamas and Biafra areas to use a new route that has been shared with them through their SACCOs.
Image: DICKENS WASONGA
Kisumu traders who have been operating at the Nyamlori and Garissa Lodge areas have until February 15th to move out.
Kisumu City manager Abala Wanga on Thursday said that the affected traders have been offered alternative spaces to sell their wares at the modern Uhuru Market Complex.
The city manager at the same time directed matatus operating at the Kisumu Boys, Kamas and Biafra areas to use a new route that has been shared with them through their SACCOs.
He said the city authorities are keen to decongest the main Kisumu bus park and moving forward, matatus picking passengers at Ahero Mowuok stage will not be entertained.
He disclosed that buses will be moved to a new Bus park in the Nyamasaria Molem area adding that the Sh100 million bus park will be opened soon to operators.
Abala noted that the city is implementing a new Spatial Plan that is meant to streamline operations in various sectors to enhance order and smooth delivery of services to the residents.
According to a new route plan, Town service operators will now be required to make a turn at Patel roundabout through Mamba areas and Uhuru market and drop off passengers opposite Agha Khan Hall.
The town service matatus can also use Ondiek Road before getting to Kisumu main Bus park.
We are doing a lot of development projects in line with the New Spatial Plan which might cause disruptions but these are necessary challenges," he said.
He said the city is rehabilitating its Sewerage system and carrying out urban regeneration projects which will affect some traders and transport sector operators.
"We have had cases of flooded roads within the CBD. The problem has been caused by some traders who have kiosks erected above sewer lines and drainage. They dispose of waste on the drainage system clogging them. The wastes also block Sewer lines," he added.
He alleged that some few traders who have already been allocated stalls in the new markets have refused to move
"We have done modern markets that are empty while some traders blocking Sewer lines don't want to relocate," he noted.
"The roadsides and walkways must be safe. We can't allow traders in these spaces. Service lanes are obstructed by a few traders who are being used by cartels who collect illegal rent from these kiosks. You can't abandon markets and ply your trade by the roadside," he asserted.
Abala noted that it is unbelievable that the city has a bus park which is empty and matatus continue to cause traffic jams and run amock.
"We have people who have created their routes and collected illegal levies from the operators with impunity. We have to deal with these cartels and restore order in the sector," he added.
The city manager observed that a new bus park at Molem is ready for commissioning and a new one will be constructed at Mamboleo to further decongest the Kisumu Main Bus park opposite Kisumu Boys.
"We are decongesting the bus park. We have to relocate the buses. We can't have rioters groups that harass innocent people near the high school. They also hoot and cause commotion which is not conducive to a learning environment," he emphasised.
Abala asked the city residents and all stakeholders to support the implementation of the new Spatial Plan that he noted would create order.
"Traders who are still at Nyamlori and Garissa Lodge areas will have to go. Town service will go by the routes we have designed," he reaffirmed.
"At Patel, the matatus will be diverted towards the Mamba area and then to the Uhuru market. Some can use Ondiek Road to bus park," he said.
"Those operating at Kisumu Boys area, Biafra and Kamas will go. They must leave by February 15," he added.
He said that the city authorities have spoken to the matatus to move on their own in vain adding that they will use every approach to have the directive implemented.
"We have tried diplomacy but it doesn't seem to work. We will this time force them out if they refuse to use new route plans," he noted.
"Those trying to incite the matatu operators should be warned. We must create order in the sector. Use the Saccos to streamline your operations," he pointed out.