Thika traders demand relocation of cemetery to pave way for market
By Mathew.Ndungu, July 25, 2023
Over 500 traders in Maguguni, Thika East now want a public cemetery in the area relocated to pave the way for the construction of a market.
The traders who have been operating at Muguguni centre along the Thika-Garissa Highway were ejected by the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) a month ago in a bid to avert a tragedy.
Suitable space
The marketers over the weekend stormed the cemetery land, which is situated just along the Highway, and started sub-dividing it amongst themselves.
They claimed that lack of suitable space to trade their wares has continued to impoverish them with most of them failing to meet the basic needs of their families including paying house rent, raising school fees for their kids and even putting food on the table. They noted that the space that was allocated for the construction of a market in the area is close to 1.5 kilometres, at Matathia area, which is usually inaccessible due to its location and road network.
“No buyers can come to Matathia because of the long distance from the highway. Why we sell along the highway because we must do business where people can easily access us. Since we were ejected from the highway, life has been very difficult for some of us who rely on our small businesses to meet our monthly and daily obligations,” Mary Muthoni, a trader said.
The traders noted that they have already submitted a letter requesting a Change-of-User to the Kiambu County Government, to change the three-acre piece of cemetery land to a market, but they are yet to get a green light.
Greenlight
“We have formally applied for a change of user to have this parcel changed for use by traders in futility. We are now urging our leaders to help us fast-track the process,” Grace Wanjiru, another trader said.
Ngoliba Ward MCA Joachim Njama told journalists that they have initiated the process of changing the land use noting that besides the construction of a market, a police post will be put up to boost security in the area.