Makutano market food vendors protest against relocation by the county government, cite limited infrastructure

Street food vendors at Makutano market have raised concern over what they term as untimely relocation by the Meru county government.

The traders led by chips sellers Jane Kagwiria claimed that the infrastructure limitation at the main market has led them to establish informal selling points along roadsides.

“It is not our wish that we remain here, but there needs to be proper plans to relocate us” said a trader’s chair. “The county government officers raided our work place and took away our equipment. Let them have a dialogue with us as we are not opposed to moving to a new place.”

However, they said that they are not opposed to the scheduled relocation, but noted that the place lacks clean and safe spaces throughout commercial areas.

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They also argued that the conditions are unfriendly, citing difficulties related to exposure to weather elements such as rain and dust.

“The place they want us to move to is not well organized. There are also loose hanging power cables that are a risk to us” said the chair lady.

Benjamin Kimathi, a Makutano bodaboda riders sacco official at Makutano said that the harassment to the hawkers seems politicized.

“The relocation to a different place comes after attending DCP rallies in Meru on the weekend. This looks like a punishment to those who seemed to support the former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua who had a roadside rally here,” he alleged.

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“Those taking this direction should be reminded that we also cheered President William Ruto when he stopped here to talk to us. Let them remember that these traders have families to feed, and that’s why they spend the nights here” he noted.

Daniel Mutisya, a trader at Gitoro regretted that their trollies had been confiscated by county officers and their informal structures demolished.

“With the bottom up approach strategy by our government, this looks like sabotage to the plans. Our leaders have forgotten that there is need to support the hustlers. Let them consider us” regretted Mutisya.

However, they threatened to hold demonstrations if their cry is not addressed.

By John Majau

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