Kisumu’s Bandani Market Traders want alternative site after eviction.

 A trader at Bandani Market with a baby on her lap waits for customers to purchase her goods at the demolished site along Kisumu-Busia road next to the Kisumu International Airport.They want to be relocated to a new site-Photo By Dickson Odhiambo.

By Dickson Odhiambo.

August 21, 2019.

Kisumu’s Bandani Market Traders want alternative site after eviction.

TRADERS at the now flattened Bandani Market now want the County Government of Kisumu to provide them with an alternative site so as to carry on with their businesses after they were recently evicted from where they used to be.

The traders claim that there was no notice given to them prior to their eviction from the land next to Kisumu International Airport which is adjacent to the Railway line passing through Bandani area.

They say the eviction that was done during the night was not in order as most of them lost property of unknown amount during the exercise.

Addressing the press at the site today to express their dissatisfaction with the recent exercise that was carried on August 15 last week, the traders led by the chairman of the Kisumu Network of Grass root Associations {Kinga Mashinani} Richard Osanya said they have been taken by a great shock by the National Government’s recent move to evict them from the disputed piece of land.

“From the onset, we wish to state that we are not against development and re-organization of our beloved Kisumu City and the residential areas we live in. What we are against is the forced evictions and the manner in which it is done,” said the traders in a signed Press statement.

They say there ought to have been an alternative site to relocate the traders affected with the ongoing demolitions within Kisumu City including those who have been evicted on Railway land near the Kisumu Port so as to pave way for the Port regeneration that is ongoing.

They further say there must be a time frame for consultation with the affect lot, adding that such time frame should be made public.

They also say the demolitions have greatly affected the issue of revenue collection within the Kisumu city, adding that the county government is now struggling with revenue collection but did not consider the effects the demolition were likely to cause.

“In a place like Winmart Market, the National Government demolished it despite the place having a certificate of lease. The place that employed a number of youth in the hotels and premises that it housed is no more as the demolition has led to disruption of incomes and economic activities of over 120 tenants.

George Opande, the Proprietor of Winmart Shopping Center next to the Maseno University Kisumu City Campus said they have made a loss of about 200million after the place was demolished.

He said the Land was allocated to his uncle the late Salmon Ndalo Obede and has a certificate of lease for a period of 99 years from 1992, adding that his late uncle handed it over to him.

A business lady who operated  a butchery within Bandani Market Ann Adhiambo Owino says she has been greatly affected by the forceful eviction that recently occurred.

 

The network now want enumeration conducted so as to identify the genuine people, homes and most vulnerable are affected hence be considered for priority assistance to avoid imposters.

ENDS: