Garissa traders up in arms with municipality over allocation of stalls

Traders from the Garissa’s Orahey open-air market are up in arms with the municipality over the alleged discriminatory allocation of stalls.

The newly completed market along Posta Road can accommodate 500 traders.

It was put up by former Governor Ali Korane in 2018 to stop traders from blocking busy roads in Garissa town while selling their wares.

The traders led by  Ibrahim Hassan accused some county officials of giving out slots to unknown people who are not traders.

Amina Mohamed said they want fairness in the allocation exercise.

Ismail Ali, a vegetable and fruit vendor, claimed she has occupied the market for 30 years and will not relocate to a toilet-size stall because she operates a big grocery.

Fatuma Aden said she is willing to move to her new stall, expressing optimism that business will pick up with time.

Garissa Governor Nathif Jama assured the traders that the market belongs to those who have been relocated.

“I promise that no trader will be left out. Priority will be given to those who are being relocated. They are moving to give space for road expansion,” Jama said.