Roadside traders along the Nakuru-Eldoret highway have vowed to stay put even as the government issued a directive to have their businesses relocated.
The State's directive followed the killing of 53 traders in a road accident at Londiani junction on June 30.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen proposed a raft of measures including the installation of cameras in vehicles and the relocation of all roadside markets.
Murkomen urged counties to partner with the State to construct markets off the highways. This, he said, would be done through the intergovernmental framework, as the Kenya National Highways Authority constructs access roads to the markets.
Kericho Governor Erick Mutai also issued a directive banning roadside hawking. He instructed enforcement officers to implement the directive in other locations, including Sossiot along the Kapsoit-Sondu road and Roret along the Ngoina-Nyamira road. Even with the directive, traders along the highway have remained adamant and go about business as usual. To them, relocation spells doom for their families.
They have chosen to continue flirting with death as they compete for customers on highways.
The Standard, in a spot check, witnessed hawkers at the Mau trading centre running after speeding cars on the highway. The same is also witnessed in Sachangwan. Esther Waithera, a vegetable seller said the roadside business is what has sustained her.
She described herself as a hustler and in what she said was a message to President William Ruto. She reminded him of his promise to support them. Waithera said she has been in the business for 18 years.
"I have managed to pay fees, and feed my family using proceeds from this business," she said.
Josephat Kimang'a, a trader, said since an alternative market is yet to be constructed, they will operate by the roadside.
