The government must, with immediate effect, decisively deal with terrorists razing down city markets, Westlands Member of Parliament (MP) Tim Wanyonyi has demanded.
The national and County Government, he said, must ensure that city traders’ properties are protected from arsonists who have been wreaking havoc across the city setting markets on fire every year.
Speaking at Toi Market in Kibra on Tuesday, June 13 when he visited traders whose property was reduced to ashes in a recent fire, Mr Wanyonyi challenged the County Government to erect permanent structures for traders in a bid to reduce losses incase of fires.
“Those criminals roaming around burning markets here (Toi), Gikomba and others will not be allowed to continue. Those are terrorists and we must make sure that we stop them from destroying people’s property,” he said.
In his visit, the MP donated over 500 iron sheets to help the traders reconstruct their structures and continue with businesses as they plan for better structures.
The iron sheets, he said, will go a long way in reducing the pain and loss Toi market traders would have incurred in buying them themselves and promised to mobilise for more should they be little.
“For those who have been badly affected, I will continue mobilising for resources to help you bounce back. Whenever I get, I will share the little that I have with you,” he said.
He also asked the government to consider compensating traders whenever their properties are lost like in the case of Toi market.
It is the duty and responsibility of the government to ensure that every Kenyan is protected, provided for and enabled to do business in a conducive environment.
At the same time, he called on the County Government led by Governor Johnson Sakaja to ensure that disaster response is improved so that heavy losses can be avoided.
And in addition, he said his bid for City Hall is still alive and assured locals that he will bounce back into the ring in the next elections.
He said his journey is on a pause but will continue from where it stopped in the next elections.
Recently, ODM leader Raila Odinga reiterated his support for Mr Wanyonyi’s gubernatorial bid dismissing rumours that the legislator was harbouring ambitions to relocate to Bungoma.