By Antynet Ford
Nairobi City County has blamed the dawn protest by Wakulima Market traders on ‘political opportunists.’
Speaking to the press hours after the protest, Acting County Secretary Godfrey Akumali said the protest was fueled by political opportunities whom he blamed for setting the County General stores on fire.
“We condemn today’s protest by traders which were motivated by political opportunists. The Central stores were set on fire, fire engines stoned and staff inured.” Akumali said.
He said investigations are on and that early findings indicate that there was political interference.
The county has given the wholesale traders at the Marikiti market up to Monday next week for them to relocate to the Kangundo Road market with the main aim being stated as decongesting the market where retailers will remain.
Akumali stated that the county will not withdraw or relent in the action to transfer the traders adding that it is to manage waste at the market.
The CS added that the congestion at the Marikiti market poses a health hazard and that the conditions are ripe for spreading waterborne diseases.
“Wakulima Market poses serious health risks, creating conditions ripe for waterborne diseases. As a county, it is our constitutional duty to provide a clean and safe environment, which is why decongesting the market is necessary.” Akumali stated.
The statement by Nairobi comes hours after Kikuyu Member of Parliament Kimani Ichung’wah called up the wholesale traders to co-exist with the others and accept the relocation.
Read also:- Reprieve to Traders as Sakaja Orders Immediate Opening of Kangundo Road Market
“Our people should stop playing victim. The relocation of the potatoes and cabbage market in Marikiti is a non-issue; pastoralists and luos do not request a special market for their livestock and fish. Let us learn to co-exist.” The Kikuyu legislator stated.
Operations along Ladhies Road and Haile Selassie Avenue in Nairobi were early today brought to a standstill after Wakulima popularly known as Marikiti Market traders protested against the eviction move and decried over the short notice to vacate to Kangundo Road Market.
The traders vowed to halt operations until the Nairobi County government withdraws the eviction notice.
Dramatic scenes played out as irate traders blocked Ladhies Road and Haile Selassie heading to the Central Business District making it impossible to all vehicles plying through the respective routes ultimately making the CBD inaccessible.
The traders lit bonfires blocking main access roads but police officers who arrived at the market used teargas canisters to disperse the crowd.
Last week Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja ordered the immediate opening of the Sh800 million Kangundo road market, which had remained unoccupied for seven years after its construction was completed.