Traders operating in Kisii town Friday morning engaged County Enforcement officers and Police in running battles over the planned reorganisation exercise.
Some of the traders woke up early Friday morning to a shock of their makeshift stalls destroyed.
The traders, in a notice that expired more than a week ago, had been ordered to vacate walkways, verandas and top drainage systems.
A majority chose to ignore the order forcing municipality officers to swing into action.
Municipal Manager Nahashon Ongeri said they will go on and implement the reorganisation plans. “This has been an ongoing exercise that involved consultations.”
In a media release by the County Communication Unit, the relocation of hawkers in Kisii CBD has been triggered by the incessant public outcry on disorganization and congestion of the streets.
“Some hawkers have set their kiosks across drainages and only recently, the municipality was blamed for flash floods at Mwembe area.”
The statement stated; “To address the congestion within Kisii CBD, the hawkers have to be relocated to designated areas and this will even enhance revenue collection. The municipality is out to address the earlier public outcry, which blamed the municipality administration of failing to instil order in town.”
By Frank Akunga
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