Stalls demolished to make way for road
A trader gathers her remaining items from Oile market in Kisumu after hundreds of stalls were demolished on September 13, 2014. The county government pulled down stalls at the Oile market following complaints that it was delaying the construction of the Kisumu-Kisian bypass. PHOTO| JACOB OWITI
What you need to know:
- A letter from Sheladia Associates Inc, the contractor implementing the dual carriageway project, to the county government cited the market as an obstruction to the ongoing roadworks
- They said travelling on the seven-kilometre stretch was a nightmare given its poor state. The situation has affected the free movement of goods from the region to neighbouring countries, they added
The Kisumu county government pulled down stalls at the Oile market following complaints that it was delaying the construction of the Kisumu-Kisian bypass.
The county government said engineers working on the road, which is under the Northern Corridor Transport Improvement Project, had complained that the market was slowing down their progress.
The assembly’s committee on tourism had supported the Saturday demolition, which sparked some riots in the town. The traders lost property worth millions of shillings.
A letter from Sheladia Associates Inc, the contractor implementing the dual carriageway project, to the county government cited the market as an obstruction to the ongoing roadworks.
In the letter, dated August 8, resident engineer Philip Mbugua said the human traffic at the market, the mushrooming of kiosks, the dropping of passengers by motorists at the place and dumping of garbage on the road hindered their work.
The contractor said they were expected to complete the project by December 21. “To enable the roadworks to be carried out as scheduled, we request you to ensure the kiosks are removed,” said Mr Mbugua.
POOR STATE OF ROAD
In a letter to the county assembly, city manager Doris Ombara said several meetings were held with leaders of the traders over the eviction.
“Besides, we visited the market in the company of the governor and the Cabinet to confirm the availability of space for the traders at various locations convenient for them,” said Ms Ombara, adding that the traders had created an eyesore at the market.
At the same time, motorists have petitioned the National Assembly’s Committee on Transport and Infrastructure to investigate the stalled Kisumu-Airport road project.
They said travelling on the seven-kilometre stretch was a nightmare given its poor state. The situation has affected the free movement of goods from the region to neighbouring countries, they added.
Mr Bernard Juma, a matatu driver plying the Busia-Kisumu route, told the Nation that he spends almost Sh30,000 per week on vehicle maintenance. Mr Jack Ogallo, a lecturer at Maseno University, said the situation was worsened by lack of street lights, which exposes travellers to muggers.
Additional reporting by Everline Okewo
