Kakamega traders reject plans to relocate them to Khayega grounds

Traders operating along Kakamega-Kisumu highway at Khayega market and locals of Shinyalu Constituency clashed with police officers as they resisted plans by the County government of Kakamega to relocate them to historic Khayega grounds.

The county government had secured the grounds which is behind the Khayega main market to be used by traders in a bid to prevent road accidents along the busy highway.

However, despite numerous meetings held by county officials, the traders have opposed the relocation move, stating that Khayega ground is a historic facility used for bullfighting and nurturing football talents in the county and country.

On Sunday, traders and locals clashed with police officers when county officials and a section of market representatives started demarcating the playing grounds into small units to be used by traders.

According to traders, the playing field does not have any social amenities like toilets, water, and shade to be used, especially during this rainy season in the region.

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"We are being told to move from the roadside along the highway to Khayega grounds because KeNHA issued a warning that we are operating on the road reserve. However, the county is telling us to move to Khayega grounds because Khayega's main market is full, but the playing ground does not have even a toilet, water, or a constructed stall to sell our goods from. It is just an open field, and with due respect, we cannot accept," said Jane Asibwa, a trader.

However, locals, especially sportsmen and women, have opposed plans to turn the playing ground into a market, stating that the pitch is a historic ground used for bullfighting and local football matches.

"For many years, the Isukha and Idakho communities have been known for bullfighting games, and our governor knows that. We are telling him to look for an alternative place to set up a market and relocate traders, but as a community, we will not allow our historic field to be turned into a market," said Brian Nasendwa.

He added, "This field is near the market centre and it has offered a good place for our bullfighting game, and we do not have any other place to exercise our cultural game, we will defend this ground at all costs and let our governor look for a different place to accommodate traders."

The residents maintain that the playing ground has nurtured many talents locally and internationally.

However, Khayega Market Chairman Josphat Odinga said that KeNHA issued a notice requiring the readers to vacate the road reserve to enable it to complete the construction of the Kisumu-Kakamega highway, prompting the county government to provide an alternative place.

"KeNHA issued a notice to my members that they pave the way for completion of the road, and since the main market constructed by the county is full and cannot host more traders, the county offered the Khayega ground as an alternative place since it is the landholder," said Odinga.

However, Kakamega county government, through its Director of Communication, Sumba Jumba, maintained that it is only safeguarding and protecting the lives of its people, alleging that the move by a section of traders and locals is politically motivated.

"KeNHA is the one that issued an advisory opinion and later on a notice for the traders to move, but because they are our people and our governor supports their venture, his administration offered Khayenga grounds as an alternative place for them to carry out their business," said Sumba.