Eviction of hawkers will go on to clean town, pledges governor
Some of the structures that were demolished by municipal officers at Eveready on the Nakuru-Eldoret Highway on June 3, 2014 prompting hawkers to protest blocking the busy highway. PHOTO/SULEIMAN MBATIAH
What you need to know:
- He promised residents he will creat a clean and orderly town where all traders will conduct their business freely.
- Mr Mbugua was referring to Nakuru Town West MP Samwel Arama and Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria, who on Tuesday joined hawkers in protest against demolition of makeshift food stalls along Nakuru Industrial Area road reserves.
- On Tuesday, Mr Arama and Gikaria led calls for Mr Mbugua’s ouster, saying he had reneged on a pledge he made during election campaigns that he would safeguard their businesses.
Ridding Nakuru town of unplanned structures and hawkers will continue, Governor Kinuthia Mbugua pledged said.
Mr Mbugua said the structures had ruined work to decongest the town.
He promised residents he will creat a clean and orderly town where all traders will conduct their business freely.
Addressing hawkers who held peaceful protests against ongoing demolitions, the governor said his mandate must be executed with “tough love” for Kenya’s fastest growing town.
“My work is not to please you now like some politicians are doing. I will not allow unplanned structures to tarnish our image just to please you. What votes am I safeguarding by failing to do the work you gave me of cleaning the town?” he asked.
ONE-STREET TOWN
Mr Mbugua was referring to Nakuru Town West MP Samwel Arama and Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria, who on Tuesday joined hawkers in protest against demolition of makeshift food stalls along Nakuru Industrial Area road reserves.
“No unplanned structure will be left standing as our town is very small and has only one main street — Kenyatta Avenue — that is littered with ugly structures. They must be removed and anyone intending to put up a structure must consult the planning department to ensure only beautiful structures are left,” he said.
He went on: “Section 58, Stadium Stalls have been beautifully done and we are open to dialogue to help traders to erect planned structures on road reserves outside the central business district. But once road or other development projects come in, you shall have to give way.”
The governor said Wakulima Market would soon be opened after expansion is completed.
On Tuesday, Mr Arama and Gikaria led calls for Mr Mbugua’s ouster, saying he had reneged on a pledge he made during election campaigns that he would safeguard their businesses.
Mr Mbugua said: “I have lost 30 kilogrammes since last year and I have not had peace as my main agenda is to serve my people. I enjoyed many privileges as AP commandant and I’m not here to preserve my seat or plan to contest any other seat but serve my people,” he said. At the same time, the county government yesterday, owners of wholesale market stalls walked out claiming services were poor.
They said the toilets were dirty and insecurity wa son the rise at the market. Suppliers and other traders refused to pay levies, accusing the county government of failing them.
A lorry with produce to the market is charged between Sh1,000 and Sh2,000, depending on the goods and quantity delivered. Other traders pay Sh360 a month, with Sh60 being conservancy fee.
“The situation has become worse especially now that it is raining, “ said Wakulima Market Traders Association chairman Daniel Kahuho.
Additional reporting by Wanjiru Macharia
