The County Government of Uasin Gishu has announced the closure of the Eldoret town main market.
This follows the Thursday clash between a section of traders and the police that left a trail of destruction.
Deputy Governor Eng. John Barorot announced that within the next 7 days, the Champions Retail Market will remain closed.
The move, Eng. Barorot told Journalists, is meant to enable them ‘sanitize’ business operations within the market and surrounding areas.
“We are going to sanitise and ensure people do their genuine business in their shops and designated places,” the deputy county boss said during a media briefing at the county headquarters in Eldoret town.
During the period that the recently refurbished market will be closed, traders that have been operating from there will be allowed to use other markets on the outskirts of the town.
Among the markets that the county is asking traders to use include the Kimumu/Baati Wholesale Market and others in Kahoya, West, Langas, Kapseret and Kuinet estates.
“This operation will continue for the next 7 days and we will address the issue of insecurity including street families menace who have been disturbing motorists,” said Eng. Barorot.
But even as the county shuts down the market, it says traders with perishable goods will be allowed to collect them.
However, they will be required to provide receipts that verify them as genuine owners of the stalls inside the Champions Market.
Uasin Gishu County estimates that there are about 1,000 licenced traders that have been operating within the market.
No movable carts in the Champions market
It has however flagged down at least 50 bum-bum traders that have been illegally operating in undesignated areas within the market.
The county argues that a recent operation was to deal with the 50 rogue traders whom they accuse of blocking others at the market.
Further, the county says it had issued a notice asking the traders using carts to move out of the market but they disobeyed it.
Market laws do not allow traders with movable stalls and carts.
Uasin Gishu County Commissioner Dr Eddyson Nyale on his part assured traders within the town that their security and that of their properties was guaranteed.
“We are asking the businesspersons to open their businesses because we have enhanced security around the market and in town,” said Dr Nyale.
The Thursday clash had seen most of the businesses near the market close down in fear that criminals might take advantage of the situation and loot their goods.
However, the county and security agencies say the matter has been handled and security restored.
