500 businesses are facing eviction in Kisii after the Kisii county government unveiled a plan to reorganise the town's Central Business District (CBD).
Kisii Municipality manager Nahashon Ongeri issued the traders a seven-day deadline to relocate or face forceful eviction.
Ongeri warned that the traders may also be arrested and penalised heavily if they disobey the notice or plan demonstrations.
"Failure to comply with the notice will attract a huge penalty. All business owners and operators are required to cooperate with the said directive," the notice read.
"We are not looking back, we reached the decision because we want to ensure all those who pay licences to operate shops within the CBD have a humble business environment," he, later on, told the Standard.
All small businesses who operate on walkways and verandahs, hand cart pushers, welders, fish vendors, mechanics and timber yard operators were targeted in the eviction notice.
The traders, however, lamented that they were not accommodated in the relocation plans and were not aware whether they would be guaranteed new areas for operation.
Kisii joins Kisumu and Nairobi County in CBD reorganisation plans. Kisumu, in March 2021, banned Matatus from the city centre after the completion of a peripheral bus terminus.
Acting City Manager Abala Wanga noted that the ban would take effect beginning Monday, March 15, 2021. The county police boss, the city inspector director and the city engineer were directed to enforce the new directive.
Nairobi County is also set to bar PSVs from entering the city. The motorists will be relocated to several termini being constructed outside CBD. President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to open the Green Park Terminus near Old Railways Club at the end of March 2021.
Nairobi County Government is further contemplating passing new laws that will spell tough fines for hawkers who roam the streets. The Nairobi City County Popup Markets and Street Vendors Bill, 2019 stipulates that a trader will part with Ksh 50,000 or face a six-month jail term if found breaking laws related to licencing and selling prohibited goods.
"A person who behaves in a disorderly manner in a pop-up market commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding Ksh 30,000 or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding six months or both," it adds.
