This archive report was first published on 30 August 2019.
On August 30, 2019, a bitter dispute erupted between traders at Naivasha's open-air market and hawkers operating outside the market. The hawkers' presence had led to a significant loss of business for the traders, who claimed that customers were being drawn away by the roadside vendors.
The chairperson of the traders, Alice Wangui, accused the hawkers of engaging in an illegal business, as they were selling clothes on the roadside without permission. Despite paying market levies and reporting the issue to the county government, the traders felt that their concerns were being ignored.
Wangui stated, 'No customer comes inside the market since what we sell can be found on the roadside and we will not pay any rates to the county until this problem is resolved.'
