Mang’u traders in Gatundu demand market to cushion them from harsh weather
A section of traders at Mang'u in Gatundu North now want Kiambu County government to establish a market to cushion them from harsh weather conditions they have been grappling with while trading.
The small scale traders who sell all manner of traditional food items from cassava, arrowroots, yams, sweet potatoes, bananas among others said their businesses have been hard hit especially now that it has continued to rain.
During the hot weather, the traders who include old grannies said they are forced to move the market to a cooler place as they cannot withstand the scorching sun at the open air selling place.
They took issue with local administration for sabotaging efforts by Thika MP Patrick Wainaina who had offered to build them a shade to mitigate their challenges.
The MP who comes from the area is reported to have started construction works but Kiambu County government through the local MCA Lawrence Kibicha Dabi dismantled the activities bringing down a structure that had already been put up.
“Wainaina, through his team who were issuing masks and sanitizers, found us at this place as it was raining. We expressed our plight and dived into action only for ill-minded persons to flatten the project. It’s sad because they have not offered us a solution,” Elizabeth Wambui, a trader regretted.
The angered traders regretted that the area leadership had not offered them an alternative solution to their challenges and accused them of playing petty politics.
They claimed that their leaders abandoned them after electing them and are no longer interested in offering them services.
They said that abject poverty has been compelling them to brave challenges at the open air market to bring food on the table for their children.
The traders now want a shade put up at the fast growing small market by whichever form of government or well-wishers, politics notwithstanding.
Efforts to reach the accused MCA for a comment were futile as he neither received calls nor responded to our text messages.
