Traders protest over increased licence fees by Uasin Gishu County government
Olare Ward MCA Nicholas Maraba (centre) addresses traders at Burnt Forest, who blocked the Eldoret-Nakuru highway on March 26, 2015 protesting over increased trade license fees by the Uasin Gishu County government. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- They sought to be addressed by Governor Jackson Mandago over the fees which they say have been increased by over 200 per cent.
- The angry traders and residents barricading the road early morning, led by the Olare Ward MCA Nicholas Maraba.
- The MCA said they would not relent until the governor arrives and resolves the impasse.
- He said the traders were not consulted before the new increase in licence fees was effected.
Traders and residents of Burnt Forest in Uasin Gishu County Thursday blocked the busy Eldoret-Nakuru highway, protesting against increased trade licence fees and poor services.
They barricaded the road at Burnt Forest Trading Centre seeking to be addressed by Governor Jackson Mandago over the fees which they say have been increased by over 200 per cent.
The angry traders and residents barricading the road early morning, led by the Olare Ward MCA Nicholas Maraba.
“We are asking Governor Mandago to come here and address us over the new rates,” Mr Maraba said.
In 2014, residents and traders at Cheptiret, also in Uasin Gishu County, held similar protests seeking to have proper parking for motor bikes, trucks and for feeder roads to be constructed.
They were against parking fees and an increase in trade licence charges.
OPPOSED GATE CHARGES
They also disagreed with plans to have gate charges for parking areas introduced.
They barricaded the road until Governor Mandago intervened and resolved the issue.
“Last year, Governor Mandago blocked this same road at Cheptiret Trading Centre where he raised the same issues we are raising today.
"We are demanding that he comes here so that he can also address this issue once and for all,” Mr Maraba said.
The MCA said they would not relent until the governor arrives and resolves the impasse.
The traders were also complaining over poor drainage systems in the area and poor garbage collection.
“Traders in Burnt Forest are a hard-working lot.
"The trade licence fees have been raised without consulting us, thus forcing us to come out to the road,” Mr David Tum, a trader, said.
He also complained that the trading centre has no public toilets.
“We are wondering where all our taxes are going to or where the additional levy will be channelled to,” he said.
