Gakoromone traders want Meru County to address insecurity, poor drainage
Leadership of Gakoromone market traders addressing journalists in Meru town. Photo/Gerald Kibaki
Gakoromone Traders have issued a 14 days notice for Meru County security agencies and the County Government to install floodlights in the market to curb escalating insecurity cases.
They also want the blocked drainage unlocked, relocation of Kiolone Banana Market to where it was before, employment of more cleaners at the market, modern Kiosks allocation to benefit business people, designate loading bays be streamlined and security patrols increased.
Led by their chairman Gideon Gitonga, the umbrella of members of the development committee said break-ins into shops have increased for the last two(2) weeks adding police officers manning the Gakoromone police post seem unbothered.
"We demand installation of floodlights and street lights failure to which, we won't continue paying taxes if the County won't do it. Let the governor act within the next 14 days or we will hold the mother of all demonstrations. We have several letters requesting the County to act. If no services are rendered from their side, there will be no tax payments. We are tired. We demand the Governor to intervene, this is not politics," Mr Gitonga said.
He said they have already prepared a notice letter to present to Meru Police Station OCS to guarantee them security against hired goons for a peaceful picketing.
The Plot Owners and Wholesalers Secretary Judith Kananu said their attempts to reach out for a meeting with the Governor proved futile.
"The current leadership has been playing divide and rule to the six(6) sectors within this market. We have several issues we want them addressed. The governor needs to beautify and ensure Gakoromone is in a good state. We have written proposals requesting them to unlock drainage, but they are all in vain," Ms Kananu said.
Ms Jerevasio Murerwa said as leaders they are tired of beseeching the current government without any response.
"We elected these leaders and instead of them working for mwananchi, they only engage into a lot of politicking. Gakoromone is nowadays like a shamba despite it being the biggest market in the Eastern region. People go to relieve themselves in the bush because we only have one toilet that can't serve more than 5,000 people. We urge MPs to follow up and restore security lights," Ms Murerwa said.
