The Mountain Journal
Members of Kirinyaga County Assembly have asked traders in Kagio Market to remain calm as the County Government finalizes plans to expand the market.
The team met unruly traders 2ho accused the government of increasing trading levies without consulting them as procedure demands
The MCAs said Governor Anne Waiguru’s administration is in an advanced stage of negotiation to buy off a parcel of land next to the market for the expansion.
Speaking when they toured the market to listen to grievances from the traders, the leaders also said those selling their wares outside the market will be relocated back once proper plans are put in place.
Led by Deputy Speaker Jinaro Njamumo and Majority Leader Daniel Kibinga, the civic leaders asked local politicians to stop inciting the traders. Njamumo who is the Mutithi ward MCA accused Senator Kamau Murango of seeking cheap publicity by inciting the traders against MCAs.
Njamumo asked Murango to concentrate on his oversight role and stop meddling into the County Government development affairs.
“When we bring politics into development, the people who suffer are the traders. Each of us as elected leaders should stick to our roles. Whoever is claiming that they have allocated money specifically to Kirinyaga should come and show us where the money is. We are the current elected leaders and he should let us do our work without incitement.
The MCAs said Governor Anne Waiguru’s administration is in an advanced stage of negotiation to buy off a parcel of land next to the market for the expansion.
Speaking when they toured the market to listen to grievances from the traders, the leaders also said those selling their wares outside the market will be relocated back once proper plans are put in place.
Led by Deputy Speaker Jinaro Njamumo and Majority Leader Daniel Kibinga, the civic leaders asked local politicians to stop inciting the traders. Njamumo who is the Mutithi ward MCA accused Senator Kamau Murango of seeking cheap publicity by inciting the traders against MCAs.
Njamumo asked Murango to concentrate on his oversight role and stop meddling into the County Government development affairs.
“When we bring politics into development, the people who suffer are the traders. Each of us as elected leaders should stick to our roles. Whoever is claiming that they have allocated money specifically to Kirinyaga should come and show us where the money is. We are the current elected leaders and he should let us do our work without incitement.
Those petty politics should end immediately,” said Njamumo.
The Deputy Speaker said the County Assembly was fully behind Waiguru’s administration and will continue to support her to implement all her development agenda.
“We have listened to your grievances and the trade committee at the Assembly will have a sitting to discuss and come up with a way forward,” said Njamumo.
Governor Waiguru had asked the traders to return back to the market as plans to expand the market continue.
She said the department of lands had set aside a budget for purchase of land for expansion of the market so as to accommodate traders who were currently selling their wares at the parking lots.
“I have asked the CECM in charge of lands to allocate a budget for purchase of the land adjacent to the market and to engage the owner for a possible buyout,” said Waiguru.
Kibinga asked leaders to stop politicking and instead work to deliver on their promises to the people.
“We have realized there is political incitement on traders but want to promise that as a
County Assembly together with the Executive, we will prioritize expansion of Kagio market so as to address all grievances raised by the business community,” said Kibinga.
His sentiments were echoed by area MCA Geoffrey Murimi who said that relocation of traders from the parking lots back to the market will be done in an orderly manner so as to ensure no business is hurt. He asked traders to continue honoring their obligations to pay trading fees so as to enable the County Government to get the necessary revenue to deliver on its promises.
“We are saying, as the County Government plans to expand the market, traders already in the existing facility should work with the County Government to see how those displaying their fresh produce at the parking lots also get space inside the market,” said Murimi.
He said the County Government has not increased trading levies and therefore they should ignore such claims.
On their part, the traders agreed to go back to the market as they await the county government to expand the market.
One of the traders Mary Nyawira said traders selling at the parking lot are ready to go back to the market and asked the county to do a fresh re-allocation of market spaces.
The Deputy Speaker said the County Assembly was fully behind Waiguru’s administration and will continue to support her to implement all her development agenda.
“We have listened to your grievances and the trade committee at the Assembly will have a sitting to discuss and come up with a way forward,” said Njamumo.
Governor Waiguru had asked the traders to return back to the market as plans to expand the market continue.
She said the department of lands had set aside a budget for purchase of land for expansion of the market so as to accommodate traders who were currently selling their wares at the parking lots.
“I have asked the CECM in charge of lands to allocate a budget for purchase of the land adjacent to the market and to engage the owner for a possible buyout,” said Waiguru.
Kibinga asked leaders to stop politicking and instead work to deliver on their promises to the people.
“We have realized there is political incitement on traders but want to promise that as a
County Assembly together with the Executive, we will prioritize expansion of Kagio market so as to address all grievances raised by the business community,” said Kibinga.
His sentiments were echoed by area MCA Geoffrey Murimi who said that relocation of traders from the parking lots back to the market will be done in an orderly manner so as to ensure no business is hurt. He asked traders to continue honoring their obligations to pay trading fees so as to enable the County Government to get the necessary revenue to deliver on its promises.
“We are saying, as the County Government plans to expand the market, traders already in the existing facility should work with the County Government to see how those displaying their fresh produce at the parking lots also get space inside the market,” said Murimi.
He said the County Government has not increased trading levies and therefore they should ignore such claims.
On their part, the traders agreed to go back to the market as they await the county government to expand the market.
One of the traders Mary Nyawira said traders selling at the parking lot are ready to go back to the market and asked the county to do a fresh re-allocation of market spaces.
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