•The traders have over the years found themselves victims of tragedy and faced neglect by the government.
•Despite experiencing annual fires that result in losses and unemployment, the traders also face tax charges paid to City Hall.
Image: MAUREEN KINYANJUI
Nairobi governor aspirant Richard Ngatia has vowed to address the plight of Gikomba traders if elected county boss.
The Kenya National Chambers of Commerce Industry president said the top of his agenda will be to address multiple trade licences charged by the county government.
He said only necessary licences will remain and the rest be scrapped to avoid oppressing the traders.
The KNCCI president said firefighting services will be designated within the market to contain the frequent fires.
The traders have over the years found themselves victims of tragedy and faced neglect by the government.
Despite experiencing annual fires that result in losses and unemployment, the traders also face tax charges paid to City Hall.
Trader Jane Waithera said they are constantly harassed despite the numerous licences.
“The issues we want to be addressed include, multiple licences charged, merged into one, access to credit and financing our business, a conducive environment and sanitation problems in the market,” the trader said.
Ngatia said security lights will be installed to enhance safety within the market at night, provide drainage facilities to prevent muddy grounds and waterborne diseases, good sanitation and well maintained free lavatories.
Gikomba which is the biggest open-air market in East Africa is annually gutted by fire, exposing the government's empty promises that it would end the fires.
With most fires breaking out at night, it is difficult to identify the culprits, with the blame shifted to electrical faults, nearby houses and at times the traders who claim petrol is used to start the fires.
The aspirant said all footbridges which have turned into mugging dens will be well lit, surveillance cameras installed and security deployment to enable people to walk into and outside the Central Business District.
Footbridges especially along Ladhies road have been abandoned by commuters after being taken over by street boys who also indulge in criminal activities.
Ngatia said for post-Covid-19 recoveries, there are plans for Small and Medium Enterprises, access to credit for small traders, trade levies and construction of industries to ensure value addition of products for domestic and foreign markets.
“Nairobi is a business hub for the region and one of the most preferred investment destinations globally. We intend to spruce up the economy to ensure everyone has money. The residents will be the first beneficiaries of these programmes,” he said on Friday at Gikomba market.
The KNCCI boss said the chamber had made interventions and initiated already running initiatives to stabilise small businesses under the programmes such as Sh600 million kitty under the Mastercard Foundation Covid-19 recovery and resilience programme.
“One of my key agenda is to help Micro and Small Enterprises survive the economic downturn and improve their resilience to enable them to continue to create employment and contribute to the country’s economic resurgence,” Ngatia said.
“Young people need this support for us to quickly mitigate the economic impact of the crisis.”
The KNCCI president who is a member of the Jubilee party is expected to launch his candidature this month as party nominations near.
He will battle out for the seat with Governor Ann Kananu, Agnes Kagure (Jubilee), Timothy Wanyonyi (ODM), Johnson Sakaja (ANC), Margaret Wanjiru (UDA), Lawyer Miguna Miguna and Ben Mulwa (Wiper).
Edited by Kiilu Damaris