Githurai traders have called out Kiambu governor Kimani Wamatangi regarding the allocation of stalls in the new Githurai market set to be launched by President William Ruto on Saturday, July 5.
Confirming the position, Peter Mungai, the Chairman of Githurai Traders Association, highlighted that the county government has repeatedly disregarded their wishes and ignored the leaders elected to champion their interests. According to him, this lack of attention has led some traders to resort to protests.
“Yesterday, [Wednesday, July 2] we were called by the county commissioner to have a discussion but nothing was agreed upon. The Kiambu County Executive Member in charge of Trade told us that they wanted to collect the data of all traders in the market.
"The last time we did this was last year when allocating stalls for the beneficiaries. Now they want new data - we are convinced the county wants to redo the process,” Mr. Muigai uttered.
Adding to the discontent, the traders' chairman highlighted that their names have not been gazetted yet ahead of the launch.
“I foresee a situation where the President will come on Saturday to launch a building with no trader inside," he said.
Mr. Mungai added that it would be very embarrassing to the county if the president launched an empty building then made his way to the dilapidated and crowded stores where the traders are currently operating.
“We expect that the President will want to see life in that new market. We would want to see him buy a fruit inside the new market and shake a few hands. But if the Governor does not listen to the leaders elected by the traders, the launch will go on with no activity inside,” the chairman quipped.
However, the chairman noted that there is hope for an agreement saying that the traders expect the county government to find a solution in time.
He confirmed that he anticipates a seamless launch as the traders remain committed to embracing development projects and would not sabotage growth due to a few county officials.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke in a phone interview, John Ng'ang'a, a committee member of the Githurai Traders Association, expressed the traders' opposition to the Kiambu county government's decision to initiate the allocation process despite them having already settled on the matter last year.
“We had already agreed on which traders would take which stalls before the elections when James Nyoro was governor. Now we are seeing people who are saying they are from Wamatangi Foundation collecting new data and we are convinced they want to redo the process and bring in people from other wards” Mr. Ng’ang’a decried.
Mr. Ng'ang'a is now concerned that deserving traders may lose their rightful slots if the county government does not consider the allocations made last year.
The new Githurai market that consists of 1,200 stalls, is expected to be a game-changer for trade in the county.
