Kisumu traders protest, demand removal of city manager from office

Kisumu traders yesterday held protests demanding the removal of city manager Abala Wanga.

Carrying twigs and placards, the traders who marched through the Jomo Kenyatta highway chanting Abala must go and enough is enough slogans.

This is the second time the traders are holding protests against Wanga within a span of one week.

They accused him of single handedly running the affairs of the town and making reorganisation decisions without consulting them.

The traders said they will hold the demonstrations until Wanga leaves office.

They accused the city manager of destroying their sources of income through frequent demolitions and destruction of property.

Some of the traders have lost their property to auctioneers after they failed to service their loans.

Bus Park chairman Shem Ochuodho said Wanga's conduct is wanting and destructive.

"We are urging Nyong’o to come down and help out in some of these matters because he is the one we elected," he said.

Kisumu Residents Association chairman Audi Ogada said the demolitions by Wanga are not carried within the law.

He accused him of bypassing the governor, chief officers and other directors, when issuing the orders.

"It is time we exercised our democratic rights and protected our livelihoods," he said.

The traders said the relocation of the Bus Park to Mowlem was done without following the due process and poses a major insecurity issue.

"Was a baseline survey conducted to know that how many traders are within Kisumu bus park? How accessible is the place?" he asked.

Ogada said the Nyamlori market is not conducive for the traders.

"Wanga is not above the law. But why does he keep sidelining provisios of the constitution?" he asked.

Wanga said he will not relent on plans to reorganise the city.

He said he is doing everything within the confines of the law.

The city manager said he will open Nyamasaria bus park on February 16 to decongest the current park.

"We are not closing the current bus park but decongsting it. There are people who will go to Mowlem and others will remain," he said.

Wanga said saccos with offices will have to go to Mowlem.

"Mowlem will be organised according to the number of vehicles and passengers a sacco has," he said.

However, some leaders from Uhuru Business, Kibuye, Chichwa and Jubilee markets in Kisumu have distanced themselves from the demos.

Kibuye Market chairperson Judith Matengo said the demos were financed by cartels for their own selfish gains.

She said the protesters on the streets were not genuine traders .

"We have markets, stalls, a conducive environment and peace. We were given stalls for free. Some of the protesters have more than two stalls. What more do they want?" Matengo asked.

Chichwa market chairperson Mildred Atieno said her members will not participate in the protests will not participate in the demos and we are not part of it.

"There is no member of mine that is in the streets, everybody is working and we are saying that those who have issues should seek audience with the relevant bodies and not disrupt our businesses," she said.

Nyamlori chairman Maurice Onono, said incitement against business persons should not be allowed.

"They should all leave and go to their designated areas of business. the places are secure, have water and electricity. What more do they want?" he said.

A trader from Uhuru Business market who spoke to the media Betty Akinyi noted that they were saved from the streets by city Manager Abala Wanga after they were demolished and removed from Oile Park years then, before he came into office.

Betty Akinyi, a trader, said it is unfortunate that some traders, who have stalls within the market, are on the streets claiming they have nowhere to go.

She said public participation was conducted at Social Center and they were given six months before relocation.