Traders operating at Chwele market in Bungoma County have now issued a 21-day ultimatum to the county government to address their needs failure to which they will boycott paying levies.
They accused the county government failing to address the issue of looming water shortages and poor infrastructure in the market which they say has affected many people who are operating in the market.
They said by 8th of June the county government should have sorted out the problems.
“We are tired with the song from the officials of the county, we want services that reciprocate the taxes that we as business people are paying to the county government.” One of the traders said.
They have faulted the County government over shortage of water and unavailability of sufficient public toilets to cater for the increasing population at the market.
They say the government has done little in the market since it came into power in 2013.
They also warned that the county government’s inconsistencies in payment of salaries of men guarding the market will result in frequent boycotts and demonstration.
“We have people who are sleeping outside guarding goods worth millions and millions but they have not been paid a single cent for the last six months.” One of them echoed.
They said at the end of the 21-day ultimatum they would withdraw their services and will not resume their operations until their demands are met.
The traders termed the decision made by the county government on mounting street light as a useless thing as per now none of them is functioning.
They challenged the Government to address massive corruption and other inefficiency in the sector that have contributed to the rot in the key industry.
“We should create a conducive environment for players in the sector which is very critical in building the county. It is a well known fact that corruption thrives in the sector and needs to be eradicated,” they added
The matatu operators in and near the market were not left out also, they complained of poor arrangement that has caused a lot of congestion in the market.
“This market has becomes risk to many vendors operating nearby recently the lorry carrying cabbages rammed into one of the shades injuring three people let them come up with a proper arrangements to wire out the problems.” The angry driver said.
Chwele Kabuchi member of county assembly James Barasa Mukhongo said the county assembly allocated over twenty million Kenyan money to the renovation of the market and so far nothing has been done.
He accused the county government of sidling the market though is the second busy in horticulture after Karatina.
“Come 8th of June 2016 we are ready for teargas but our services should be exactly like the levies we produce.” Mukhongo said.
The MCA noted that the poor drainage system has caused a lot of losses to many vendors during the rainy season, he appealed to the county government to hurry up and address the needs of the traders before the given days elapses.