Rival traders at the Ol kalou open air market clashed on Thursday over their association’s leadership.
The group led by Jackson Mburu opposed the election of an official from the rival group led by Pastor Philip Muraya.
Mburu’s group said Muraya has the chairman of their association for 20 years “but has not done anything significant”.
The group accused Muraya of arrogance, favoritism, abusing and threatening traders who question his leadership.
“He has been threatening to send members of a proscribed organisation to chop off our heads,” a trader said,
Some traders also accused Muraya of using them for political mileage.
Muraya’s supporters allegedly refused to pay market fees until the Nyandarua government builds them sheds promised in 2015.
They also reportedly demanded that wholesale traders who operates outside the market on Saturdays and Wednesdays be moved.
This has led to frequent run-ins with county officers.
Mburu’s group says it pays fees but gets caught up in the run-ins.
Muraya has been accused of impunity.
“If a trader misbehaves in the market or abuses a colleague, the fine is five crates of soda or three months suspension from the market, but Muraya’s group does not follow the rules,” a trader said. He said Muraya incites his supporters to abuse county revenue officers whenever they visit the market. Muraya said, ”We held elections six months ago. Our constitution stipulates that elections can only be held after three years so I’m not going anywhere.”
