Governor Kidero told to make city clean and safe for business

During a round table meeting between Dr Kidero and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (Kepsa) yesterday, businessman Chris Kirubi demanded to know why the county government had failed to establish new markets, clean up the city, provide security to traders and deal with traffic snarl ups.PHOTO: COURTESY

Governor Evans Kidero was yesterday put to task over poor business environment in the city.

During a round table meeting between Dr Kidero and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (Kepsa) yesterday, businessman Chris Kirubi demanded to know why the county government had failed to establish new markets, clean up the city, provide security to traders and deal with traffic snarl ups.

"We need better working conditions and the only way the city can deal with hawkers is by building proper markets for the small-scale traders to operate in," said the businessman.

Mr Kirubi said the governor should stop blaming politics for the state of the city, adding that something should be done to address the issue of street children.

He also took issue with the traffic management in the capital and advised on the adoption of an automated traffic system.

"We cannot prosper as a city unless there is an efficient, affordable transport system. The government has been talking about plans to address the issue but we need to see action taken," he added.

This is the second time in two months Kidero has been put to task over similar issues.

A Kepsa member, Wanjiku Manyara, said the county government was charging the traders twice for billboard advertisement.

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Ms Manyara said despite the recent move by the county to harmonise the payment of permits, they are still required to pay extra for the billboards.

Manyara, who is also the Chief executive officer of the Petroleum Institute of East Africa, brought to the fore the increased security challenges which, she said, has increased the cost of doing business.

She added that unlicensed business people had set up illegal structures within the petroleum depots in Makadara sub-county.

Additionally, Kepsa members said graft has been a major challenge for businesses, citing mistrust between the public and organisations such as banks.

They also urged the governor to work towards making Nairobi a 24-hour economy to address the traffic issue as well as create more job opportunities.

Traders said according to a recent survey, a majority of people preferred mobile phone companies to banks.

In his defence, Kidero said the county had already began the process of automating approximately 300 junctions in the city.

He blamed political interference for hindering the decongestion of the city.

"There are 30,000 transport vehicles and half of them are 14 seaters but we would like to introduce 5,000 vehicles with capacity of 51 passengers each to get rid of the situation but the issue has now been politicised," he said.

The governor revealed that the county had embarked on building a Sh2 billion market on Kangundo road. Other markets being put up include City Park, Westlands, Jogoo road and Karikor markets.