Wamatangi’s meeting fails to resolve Ruiru market row
The dispute over the new Ruiru market has intensified after a meeting convened by Governor Kimani Wamatangi failed to resolve a standoff among traders.
The market that was built by the World Bank at the cost of Sh300 million has been at the centre of a row between traders who have been allocated stalls and those who have been selling their goods on the streets.
Those with stalls are crying foul over loss of business while “outside market” traders feel they were shortchanged in the allocation of stalls.
In a heated meeting held outside the market, at least 1,000 traders claimed the allocation of space was unfair. They said less than 600 traders were allocated space, leaving a majority selling their merchandise under the sun and rains.
Running battles
“This market was put up to better the operations for all of us. Some of us are struggling to sell our merchandise under the scorching sun and sometimes heavy rains. This is very unfair,” George Kamau, a trader said.
Angered by their recent eviction from the streets, the traders demanded allocation of space inside the market.
“We will be okay with operating on second and third floors which are unoccupied instead of engaging county askaris in running battles daily,” Martha Wangeci, a trader said.
Those selling their commodities inside the market claim their potential customers had been taken away by those hawking items outside the market.
Wambui Ndichu and Lucy Njoki said operating in the modern market had drastically reduced their earnings. They called for accommodation of all traders in the market.
“We have no problem with those selling outside being accommodated. In fact, that is how the unfair competition will be addressed as we will all be operating under one roof,” Njoki, a clothes seller said.
Wamatangi (pictured) regretted that the market design was poorly done.
“I warned the architects of these markets we have in some parts of Kiambu. They were poorly designed and they look like offices instead of markets. Markets ought to attract visitors. They should have many entrances and exits but these ones are very enclosed,” he said.
The governor vowed to ensure that all markets earmarked for construction in the county will be properly designed to not only accommodate more traders but also attract customers.
