By S, KNA
Street vendors in Embu town are up in arms over alleged arbitrary arrests, harassment and extortions by the county government askaris.
They said it has become impossible to do business in the town owing to the mistreatment meted on them by the enforcement officers including illogical arrests, destruction and confiscation of their wares if they fail to part with bribes.
This, they said, contradicts the promise made to them of ease of doing business by Governor Cecily Mbarire after taking reins of leadership in 2022 and who they called on to act to save their livelihoods.
Speaking after a crisis meeting on Monday with officials from the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), Embu Branch, led by Chair Mugo Mate, the vendors narrated the ordeal they have endured in hands of overzealous and overbearing askaris.
Some sensationally said they have been forced to go to the toilet with their wares lest they leave them unattended and get seized by the askaris who follow them like a shadow.
“These days it has become normal to see a hawker walk to the public toilets with their wares because you cannot afford to leave them unattended for a moment,” said porridge vendor Sophia Nyaga.
“I have been selling porridge in this town for years and paying required council fees, but of late it has become practically impossible due to harassment and sometimes assault we go through in the hands of enforcement officers,” she lamented.
She said the current situation was a stark opposite of what the government promised of support and protection of small-scale traders-the mama mbogas and boda boda operators.
Her frustrations were also shared by Rodgers Mutwri who said they have been treated like criminals in their own town instead of getting the required support to do and grow their businesses.
He said they live, feed and educate their children through hawking business wondering why they have to endure such hostility from the government they elected instead of protecting their interests.
They said the harassment had occasioned some to close shop while for the remaining, it is a hide and seek game with the county askaris.
KNCCI Chair, Mugo Mate, called for a meeting with the county officials led by the Governor herself to find a lasting solution over the impasse.
“We cannot continue this way, hawkers are being harassed right, left and center as if this is not business like any other,” lamented Mate, noting the County Finance Act has a provision for them to do business.
