Joy for Country Bus, Muthurwa traders as levy is reduced to Sh25

By Cyrus Ombati

The City Council of Nairobi has announced the reduction of levy that traders at the Muthurwa Market and Country Bus termini are charged from Sh100 to Sh25.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga announced the new fee on Friday. Raila said he had held a meeting with Town Clerk Philip Kisia and Nairobi Mayor George Aladwa.

The PM said the Government is keen to ensure small-scale traders prosper.

"These are the people driving the economy and we cannot force them to pay what they do not have," he said, amid cheers from a crowd of traders at the Country Bus Station.

The reduction of the daily fee is a blow to the council, as it will affect revenue targets, but a triumph to the traders who had complained that Sh100 was too high.

The PM also said the proposed eviction of residents of Muthurwa and Shauri Moyo will start soon.

He said the Government plans to build decent houses in the two areas but assured residents they would not be evicted before alternative housing is found for them.

Residents of Muthurwa recently lost an application in court to stop the Government from evicting them. Most of the targeted houses were built before independence.

Raila said those operating at the bus termini will by the end of the year get a new office. The traders had two weeks ago visited the PM in his office and asked him to listen to their grievances.