Garissa traders want market committee disbanded over graft

Garissa traders have called for the disbandment of the market committee, accusing it of corruption and diversion of funds meant for them.

The traders on Monday said politicians and well wishers should stop channelling any assistance through the committee until a new one is formed.

Suuq Muqdi market was razed down last Thursday in a fire incident that affected more than 5,000 small and middle-level traders.

The cause of the fire has not been established. Some say it was deliberate, while others blame it on an electrical fault in one of the shops.

Governor Ali Korane met officials of the market association led by chairman Billow Bashir on Friday to deliberate on ways of help victims.

He asked the committee to compile a list of victims from the more than 1,000 stalls and determine their priorities.

But the traders said the committee purporting to represent them had not been voted in or picked by anyone to represent them.

Eunice Wamboi who sells avocado at the market urged the relevant authorities to disband the committee.

“Our biggest problem is the committee. They are the biggest cartel who only use our names to benefit themselves. We don’t want that committee,” she said.

Mahat Siyat who sells groceries said in 2017, items donated by Garissa Township MP Aden Duale and former senator Yussuf Haji after the market was razed down, did not reach them.

“Some 450 weighing machines and 3,000 iron sheets were donated but not even a quarter reached the affected persons,” she said.

Another trader Dekhah Dahir urged the national government to mount CCTV cameras and deploy Kenya police reservists to guard the market.

She said those behind the fires were taking advantage of their absence.

“Our humble appeal to the authorities is that they should replace the watchmen with armed officers who will guard the market throughout the night,” Dahir said.

Trader Amina Ibrahim urged leaders and other well wishers to hasten and provide them with assistance so that they can get back to business.

“This market is our source of livelihood. It means everything to us. Most of the people especially mothers are the sole bread winners. Staying out of business means many families will go hungry,” she said.

However, Bashir distanced himself and the committee of any wrong doing.

He said any donation given either by the government, political leaders or well wishers have always been distributed to the intended persons.

“We have nothing to hide, we are always very honest and transparent. At no point have we ever diverted any donation or financial assistance meant for traders after such a tragedy. Records are there for everyone to see. Let us stop this cheap propaganda,” Bashir said.

Garissa OCPD James Ngetich on Friday said they are investigating the watchmen as well as officials from KPLC to establish the cause of the fire.

(Edited by Bilha Makokha)