Traders at Jamhuri area in Busia town are up in arms over attempts by six individuals to evacuate them from the place claiming they have bought it. The traders led by their chair Stephen Oballa have accused the six individuals for what they have termed as trying to grab public land, “We have been operating our small shops at this place from a long time ago and it’s shocking when someone comes up now and says he has bought this place from the government.”
They have wondered how individuals can purchase public land from the government and called on the county government of Busia to come in and look into the matter, “This is public land and there is no way it can be sold to an individual. What we know is there are some cartels who are trying to use back door to acquire public land and we are not going to allow that to happen.”
Burumba ward MCA Moses Ochieng, whose area the contested piece of land falls, has also joined the traders in demanding for answers on how the six individuals acquired the public land, “What I know is that it’s not possible to sell government land and those claiming to have bought the land should explain to us how they bought it and from who?”
Ochieng has also asked the traders to write down their proposals and requests which will be forwarded to the Governor for consideration concerning the issue, “Traders are among the people who stood with Governor Ojaamong and he cannot abandon you at the time you need his help.”
