• On Saturday, sound systems and car wash machines were confiscated by the city management until owners adhere to the laid down regulation.
• Wanga said that seven days ago, a notice was issued for all entertainment joints without sound proof or operating on estates to stop.
Image: FILE
Crackdown on hawkers, bars without sound proof and carwash is ongoing as Kisumu seeks to make the city habitable and eco-friendly.
Governor Anyang Nyong’o said they will not allow people to violate policies adopted to ensure order in the city.
Nyong’o speaking when he presided over the launch of the Kisumu Citywide Greening Initiative, said the move was aimed at making the county better and to have amenities of the highest global standards.
On Saturday, sound systems and car wash machines were confiscated by the city management until owners adhere to the laid down regulation.
This was done in a crackdown led by city manager Abala Wanga who said they must restore sanity in the city.
He said the crackdown will continue for the next 30 days.
Wanga said that seven days ago, a notice was issued for all entertainment joints without sound proof or operating on estates to stop.
"We have been assessing them. They have not stopped. So today we raided them and carried their equipment," he said.
Abala said they have already discussed this with the county secretary and the liquor board and some of them will have their licences revoked until they instal sound proof.
"It's unfortunate because I met these people a year and a half ago, gave them a three-month notice, extended to six months then to nine months to fix the sound proof, but they have not done so," he said.
"I'm told some of them close the roads at night, turn them into restaurants, yet they are within the estate. This culture must stop and they do what is required."
Wanga said car wash operators were damaging roads and pathways and interfering with the city’s greening programme, and were last week given a 48-hour notice to move.
"We have moved to some of the places that they were operating in. We had given them notice to move but they were still around so we also took their equipment," he said.
Hawkers along major streets were also affected. Wanga they should all operate within markets.
"Those cooking on roadsides and others with illegal makeshift eateries are also not allowed. They should move into the markets," he said.
Wanga said they will continue with the raids until the rules are followed.
Kisumu City Greening Initiative is set to be implemented in the next five years and will involve a structured monthly tree planting drive that will take place every 10th day of the month.
The initiative also seeks to plant three million trees in three years to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.
This will see Kisumu county tree cover increase from 1.55 per cent to 10 per cent.
The areas targeted include Kisian, Riat, Kajulu, Milimani, public parks, the decommissioned Kachok Dumpsite, and open spaces.