Traders in Bungoma have complained over harassment from county askaris in major towns.
Speaking to the press in Bungoma during a visit by the Senate Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations Committee, they said this has negatively impacted the running of business as some traders have opted to stay at home.
Led by Bernard Makokha, the businesspeople cited recent demolitions that occurred as a contributor to the mass exodus of traders from Bungoma town's open markets.
The chairperson of the Chepkube market traders in Bungoma town said they face harassment for trading from unauthorised areas, due to small and incomplete markets.
He said the county government should move with speed and expand the unfinished markets, to give businesses space in which to operate.
Some large properties in the town have been illegally possessed, Makokha added, and asked the Senate Committee on Devolution to swing into action and rescue the public land from grabbers.
Makokha said the space they are trading on was repossessed from a tycoon who had acquired it through illegal means.
Senator David Wakoli, who was present, confirmed that the land that had been grabbed was recovered and put under productive use.
“The land we are standing on today at this leading Chepkube market had been grabbed by one tycoon. We fought and recovered it. I know there is still a piece of land that is still under investigations. We want to recover it back so that we can expand this market,” the Senator said.
Wakoli also revealed that President William Ruto had pledged to allocate Sh50 million towards the expansion of the market.
Township MCA Jeremiah Kuloba blamed the county for turning a deaf ear, saying the traders have declared war on rogue reinforcement officers.
“Recently we had a confrontation with the county askaris here in town. I want to assure you that the war will still continue as a remedy to relieve our traders,” the MCA said.
Kuloba asked the government to ensure the market's cleanliness.
“If the county won’t come up with the required mechanism to address this challenge then Bungoma risks collecting less revenue,” she said.
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, advised the Bungoma government to ensure the completion of markets to give traders a conducive environment in which to work.
Onyonka said the county is collecting less revenue because of the poor state of markets.
County Secretary William Nasong’o said there have been issues between the traders and the reinforcement officers and pledged to address the challenges once and for all.
Also present were Senator Oburu Oginga from Siaya, nominated Senator Hezena Lemaletian, CEC trade David Wamamili and his Health and Sanitation counterpart Caro Khalayi.
The committee also visited other markets within the region including Vihiga and Busia.
