Murang’a traders urge county government to prioritize Garbage collection
By KNA, September 24, 2022Murang’a traders have asked the new county government to prioritize the collection of heaps of garbage dumped at various parts of the town, claiming it adversely affected their businesses.
The traders say that the garbage had become an eye sore and hindered customers from buying commodities from their shops, besides putting their health at risk.
“The garbage has affected the normalcy of our day-to-day activities as the putrid smell continues to affect our businesses,” Stephen Mwangi, a shoe vendor in Murang’a town, said.
Mwangi complained that he is forced to sweep the garbage after it piles up near his stall.
“The garbage is transported and dumped near my stall every now and then. If the county government does not come up with a better arrangement for collecting it, I might be forced to relocate the business or close it altogether.” Mwangi said.
Moreover, the traders complained that over the last few weeks the number of customers going to the market has reduced due to the refuse blocking the entrances to the market.
Valentine Mwaura, a fashion designer had this to say: “The garbage is about five meters away from my business but its odour has made some of my customers stop purchasing clothes from me.”
Another trader, John Macharia, argued that although the county government has been collecting taxes from the traders, it does not clean the market.
“We have been paying taxes daily yet no one cleans up the market, if the county government will not collect the garbage, we will be forced to stop paying taxes until they collect the garbage,” Macharia threatened.
Recently Murang’a Governor, Dr Irungu Kang’ata vowed to prioritize garbage collection in Murang’a town and other major trading centres within the region including Kenol, Kangari and Kandara.
Kang’ata said he would present a supplementary budget to the county assembly that if approved, would allow him to purchase more garbage trucks to aid in garbage collection.