By Y, KNA
Traders at Majengo market in Vihiga have threatened to stop remitting cess to the County government unless their grievances were addressed.
The traders led by their officials held protest along the streets to compel the County authorities to urgently look at the condition of the market failure 65to which they will boycott payment of taxes.
Speaking to the press, the Chairperson at Majengo markets, Jackson Odidi highlighted a number of issues that they were protesting about, the first one being having an issue with the drainage system.
He lamented that a couple of traders, a number of them being women had fallen in the drainage and hurt themselves while operating in the market due to unsealed drainages.
He further highlighted a second issue that they were grappling with, that of having no access to water at the market. He added that he was disappointed because for the 13 years that devolution has been in existence, they had not had access to water wondering where the taxes they pay goes to.
“The issue of toilets is also of great concern, the toilet that was supposedly constructed for us is not fully complete, it lacks water and does not have a sewage drainage.” remarked Odidi.
Odidi also noted with concern that the garbage collectors have been falling behind in their collection of garbage hence sanitation of the market has really deteriorated.
He added that the relevant local leadership had already received their complaints but no action had been taken till date.
He gave the county seven days to respond to their claims.
A workshop trader at the market, Mable Amiani reiterated on having the same grievances that the Chairperson had highlighted.
She said that since they have no toilets, the traders sometimes use the drainage to relieve themselves leading to them getting various infections.
A trader of fruits and vegetables for 15 years at the market, Joyce Kidake said that they pay the stalls they sell in for Sh1000 per month but the stalls do not have electricity.
She appealed to the Governor to fire his officers who are not working as expected as they are ruining his image and tainting his work reputation.
She added that the market should even be closed because it is dangerous to operate without water and toilets as it puts their health at risk.