Nakuru county government has been forced to intervene to resolve a controversy surrounding the eviction of traders at the Baringo stage Karimbux.

Two veteran politicians have been linked to the botched alienation of 70 traders from the stage in a plan to grab the land for an alleged private development.

The politicians, one acting in proxy for the other are said to have threatened the traders with the demolition of their stalls should they fail to vacate.

However, the county department of trade has moved in to reassure the traders of their safety and protection from demolitions as well as relocations.

A view of Baringo stage in Nakuru city.

Photo credit: JOSEPH OPENDA/MTAA WANGU

In a letter addressed to Mr Sangale ole Nasieku, the chairman Karimbux Baringo stage, stall owners and traders dated May 22, the County executive member in charge of Trade Stephen Kuria informed the traders of the county’s resolve to protect their business and stay at the stage.

“The Department of trade will protect their rights to operate business in a friendly and enabling environment. However, as agreed earlier, all traders must pay all the county fees and charges by May 31,” stated part of the letter.

Karimbux Baringo stage is one of the four gazzetted stages in Nakuru.

Others are Mashambani stage, city stage and Bus Park within the town city centre.

The traders were moved to the stage after being relocated from the streets within town.

The traders have rented or erected stalls around a half an acre parcel of land whose ownership is in contention.

Mr Nasieku who spoke to Mtaa Wangu argued that the land belongs to government but the politicians are making attempts to grab it.

Some of the stalls erected inside Baringo stage on Karimbux lane in Nakuru city.

Photo credit: JOSEPH OPENDA/MTAA WANGU

“Our position is that this is government land and any communication relating to our stay here should come from the same government,” said Mr Nasieku.

According to the official the traders held a meeting with one of the politicians who had proposed that the owners of the stalls be paid Sh 30,000 while the tenants be given Sh 5,000 a proposal which was opposed by the group.

Following the decision of the group Mr Nasieku says he has continued to face threats to his life which culminated to his attack on May 9.

He reported the matter at the Nakuru Central police Station with an OB number OB 11/9/5/2024 at at 0805hours.

The decision by the county to intervene followed a petition by the traders who sought protection from the threat of eviction.

In the petition dated May 6, the group claims that a certain group of individuals had demolished walls of two plots located along Karimbux lane and loaded the materials to a truck to unknown destination.

A section of the wall that has been demolished around Baringo stage in Nakuru city.

Photo credit: JOSEPH OPENDA/MTAA WANGU

They claimed that a young man of Somali origin embarked on digging up the foundation stone forming the two plots while threatening the traders with forceful eviction should they fail to vacate.

The traders thus sought for the arrest of the said young man to stop the construction as well as ensure a peaceful and enabling environment for their business.

More drama unfolds at city market stage as County watches helplessly

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Purity Kinuthia