Traders in Kamukunji, Nyeri given 10 days to vacate stadium

Nyeri, Thursday, 18, May 2023,

KNA, By Wangari Mwangi and Kelvin Muthukumi

Hawkers and traders who have been operating at the Dedan Kimathi Kamukunji stadium in Nyeri, have been given a 10-day ultimatum to relocate to the Asian quarters bus terminus.

Nyeri Deputy County Commissioner, Joseph Mwangi, has asked the over 100 traders to evacuate to pave way for National and county government officials to start preparation for the County Madaraka Day Celebrations which will be held at the grounds on June 1.

“We are going to clean up this place in the next 14 days to allow the officers of the national government to conduct rehearsals so that we are ready for County Madaraka Day celebration,” said Mr Mwangi during a visit to the stadium.

Their continued stay at the stadium has affected national day celebrations. Since their resumption in June 2022, the County has for the last three occasions been forced to host the events at the DEB Muslim Primary school grounds.

The county government in 2020 at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, allowed hawkers who previously operated in Gakere and Kamukunji roads to set up stalls in stadium to allow continue with their work.

Last year during the Jamhuri Day celebrations, Mr Mwangi told hawkers and traders operating at the stadium that they would be given first priority once the county government began the process of allocating market stalls at the Asian Quarters Bus terminus.

During his visit to the stadium,Mr Mwangi who was accompanied by the county Executive Committee Member in charge of Land, Housing and Urban Development, Ndirangu Gachunia also said that there are plans to restore the stadium to its former glory when it was used to host volleyball and football matches .

“Previously before social distancing was implemented, the facility was used to engage the youth in sports activities to keep them busy and distracting them from getting involved in substance abuse due to idleness. In a bid to curb their indulgence in immoral behaviours which are on the rise, we want to renovate the stadium for them,” said the DCC.

The Lands CEC said that the county had already started its plans to decongest the Nyeri Central Business District. He stated that the new terminus was ready for occupancy. Gachunia said that they had already met with hawkers, traders and players in the transport industry who will be affected by the relocation to the Asian Quarter Bus Terminus.

The complex features matatu, bus, taxi and tuk-tuk bays, bus ticketing stations, over 200 parking bays and 98 passengers waiting bays. In addition, the park  has more than 600 business stalls, an open air market, five sanitation blocks, high level water tanks and a modern solid waste chamber.

“About 10,000 people will be affected by the relocation to the new terminus. Some of the current terminus in the CBD will be closed and also traders from Gakere road will also move to the new location. We have had more than 10 meetings with the traders, hawkers and players in the transport sector to discuss and engage with them on how they will move to Asian Quarters to decongest the town and we have assured them that the transition will be smooth,” he said.

Additionally, Mr Gachunia said that the county was gearing up towards launching the TalantaMashinani programme and they were eyeing the stadium due to its strategic location. He said that in addition to hosting the talent show, the ground which is the only open public space in town, was also convenient for the groups to train and rehearse.

“After the relocation, repurposing these grounds and restoring it so that it can be used for sports and arts is one of priority,” said Mr Gachunia.

Kamukunji traders’ secretary Amos Munga, who spoke on behalf of the traders, said that they were willing to vacate but pleaded with the county government to give ample time for them to put their wares in order. He said that some of the traders had put some semi-permanent structures that would require more time to pull down.

“When we were given the space to use temporarily during the pandemic, we knew a time would come for us to vacate so we are ready to vacate. We are asking for more time to allow those of us who had put up semi-permanent structures to pull them down,” he said.

 Courtesy; K.N.A