Plans to construct a Ksh350 million modern market to be named after President Uhuru Kenyatta has suffered a major blow after the court halted the move.
Kisumu County, under Governor Anyang' Nyong'o planned to honour the head of state following the famous March 9, 2018, handshake between him and ODM leader Raila Odinga. The market was to be constructed by both the national and county government.
A report published by The Standard on Thursday, 30 January, stated that the Land and Environment Court in Kisumu ruled that the land on which the market was to be constructed belonged to Jua Kali artisans.
The ruling by the court thwarts Nyongo's plan to relocate more than 10,000 traders whose businesses were interrupted after the county demolished their stalls to refurbish the port in Kisumu.
"In case the market is constructed, the plaintiffs will suffer loss. The parcel belongs to them and they have established a case against the respondents," Justice Antony Obwayo ruled.
Jua Kali artisans moved to court to block the construction of the market which was to be part of a larger complex dubbed 'Uhuru Business Park Market Complex'.
They argued that Nyong'o did not consult them before initiating the process.
Ever since the handshake occurred, Kenyatta and Odinga have been keen on the revival of Kisumu's economy. The market was to be part of the lakefront project.
In 2019, the two leaders made numerous discreet and open trips to Kisumu to inspect the construction of Kisumu Port.
Plans to launch the port which cost over Ksh3 billion in facelift have over the time been shelved due to various reasons.
The port is expected to enhance transportation of oil to Uganda, easing traffic congestion on roads by reducing the traffic of oil tankers.
Among the rehabilitation works at the facility include the safeguarding of link roads to the port, installation of cargo handling equipment, concreting of the port yard, rehabilitation of the dry dock as well as an overhaul of old rusted boat deplorers.
