KISUMU, Kenya, Jan 24 – Kisumu Business Community today took the streets to protest against plans to reorganise the lakeside city without proper consultations.
Carrying twigs and placards, the traders marched through the Jomo Kenyatta Highway, accusing Abala Wanga of single-handedly running the affairs of the town.
Shem Ochuodho, chairman of Kisumu Bus Park, says Wanga has failed to consult traders whenever he plans to carry out the reorganisations.
The protesters also blamed him for failing to work with the City Board while coming up with measures aimed at making the city clean.
Ochuodho challenged Governor Anyang Nyong’o to come out and streamline his administration.
“We voted for you bwana Governor, come out and show leadership, we did not vote for Abala Wanga,” he said.
He says businesses in Kisumu have been frustrated by roadside declarations by Wanga.
He noted that whenever they raise a complaint with the city manager, they are rebuked and branded as UDA sympathisers.
“The arrogance in Abala Wanga should stop and we will not allow him to continue frustrating us,” he says.
He noted that he has been threatened alongside other business people who raise their voices to the ills being perpetuated by the city against its people.
Ochuodho says the notices being issued through the office of the city manager are scaring away small-scale businesses from operating.
The protesters say their businesses were interrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic, and whenever they tried to set up, the city askaris pulled their structures down.
Speaking to the press after leading the demonstrations up to the office of the governor situated at City Hall, Ochuodho says they are petitioning Governor Nyong’o to take charge of the city.
“The Governor must not allow Abala to continue frustrating voters who put him into office, he should not abdicate his role to somebody we did not elect,” he said.
He further noted that today’s protest is just a warning that if no change is witnessed, then they will scale it up.
The protestors also called upon ODM party leader Raila Odinga to intervene and come down to help his people, who are going through difficult times while doing their businesses.
