Over 300 traders in Embu Marikiti are counting losses amounting to Ksh 500, 000 after their stands were confiscated by the county government of Embu.
The angry traders who marched to county enforcement offices demanding the release of their stands said some of their stock was destroyed in the process of confiscation.
Led by Francis Gathuita, Chairman Mitumba traders Association said the traders were met with a rude shock in the morning when they found their stands missing and stock scattered all over.
Gathuita lamented that most of those affected get their stock daily averagely at Ksh 1,000 to sell that day and hence many do not have stock or capital to continue with their businesses.
He expressed concern that those mostly affected are the upcoming youths who recently came out of school and they are trying to make ends meet adding that this can drive them to engage in illegal activities
The chairman called the county government to stop harassing the traders especially during this time of coronavirus calling for consultative meetings with the traders before demolishing their stands adding that they were never issued with any notice.
Morris Nyaga, MCA Kirimari ward has urged the county government to consult him as area MCA in case they have issues with traders.
He said the county enforcement officers were given orders to confiscate the stands of the traders for their frequent violation of set time to set their stands outside the Marikiti market.
Nyaga lamented that the traders are getting out of the marikiti market because of small space that is unable to accommodate the traders.
He has called the county government to set aside funds for expansion of the market to avoid spillover of traders outside the marikiti adding that there need also for parking for the traders clients.
The MCA has noted that with the corona pandemic it is not the best time to demolish stands of the traders however there is need for consultation with before demolitions.
In addition, he expressed concern that the Marikiti market has been allocated to four individuals who have title deeds and will follow up to find out how they got title deeds for a public land.
The traders were later allowed to take back their stand and returned back to their businesses.
End.
