Traders lament demolition of premises
Property worth millions of shillings was destroyed yesterday after Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) intensified reclamation of its lands within Nakuru town central business district.
Eateries, workshops and other premises believed to have stood on railway reserve were brought down after they were marked for demolition.
Traders and business owners woke up to a rude shock to find their shops broken into and goods stolen ahead of the demolition.
Some traders who had got wind evacuated their belonging before the exercise began while others opted to bring down their structures.
However, a number of the traders lamented that they were never issued a vacate notice, saying the move was untimely and ill advised.
Mary Wambui, a vendor, said they have lost their source of livelihood as a result of the demolition.
She said it was unfortunate for the government to sanction such a move amid the Covid-19 pandemic, adding she will not be able to raise fees for her son who is set to join Form One.
Struggling women
“Where are our leaders. We are suffering yet none of them is here to assist us, I urge the President to look at struggling women like us and direct a stop to this menace,” said Wambui.
Peter Njoroge, another trader, could not hide his disappointment and frustration over the exercise, terming it an injustice to the business community.
He said KRC, being a State parastatal, could have at least given them evacuation notices.
“Some of our goods were stolen on Tuesday night by goons who were sent to mark the premises for demolitions.
The government has to find ways to compensate us,” he said. Another businessman, Charles Njenga, noted that evictions amid an economic collapse of small and medium sized enterprises were inhumane.
Corporation is recovering all its grabbed land and reserves as it gears up to revive operations on the dormant rail line into a viable commercial enterprise.
Yesterday, the parastatal had started sinking beacons on all its territories with renovation on the CBD terminus taking shape.
