Traders at Ringa Market in Kojwach, Homa Bay County, are calling on the county government’s agriculture department to urgently remove swarms of bees that they say have terrorised the market for more than three months.

According to the traders who spoke to a local station on Sunday, July 19, 2026, the bees have nested inside electricity poles installed at the market and frequently attack traders, customers and passers-by, disrupting business and leaving residents living in fear.

Trader Paul Sidhe said the bees occupy several electricity poles and become aggressive during the day.

“Vile walitengeneza hizi taa, ziko saba. Na hizi pole zote, saa hizi nyuki ziko hapo ndani. Sasa ikifika wakati wa jua, unaona kama wanasumbua wafanyabiashara,” he said.

Attacks have turned deadly

Residents claim the attacks have turned deadly. Alice Omolo alleged that two people have died after being stung by the bees.

“Kuna kontena hizi za kubeba maji punda iligonga moja ya hizi poles, ikaleta madhara hata kuna mtoto aliaga dunia sababu ya kuumwa na hizo nyuki. Kuna mzee pia alipatikana na hiyo shida,” Omolo said.

The traders say the infestation has scared away customers, dealing a blow to their businesses.

According to Esther Onyango, a trader at the market, many shoppers, especially those accompanied by children, fear getting close to the stalls.

“Mteja akikuja anangalia nyuki, labda amekuja na mtoto. Mtoto anaenda kupiga hiyo post nyuki itatokelezea. So, tunapata kama inatuhangamiza kwa biashara,” Onyango noted.

The traders also accused the Homa Bay County Government of failing to act despite repeated complaints, warning that they may be forced to shut down the market if the bees are not removed.

Paul Sidhe appealed to the county government to intervene immediately.

“Sasa nawaomba serikali ya kaunti yetu ya Homa Bay, waone njia yoyote vile nimesema wamalize hayo nyuki mara moja, sio kurudia maneno kila mara ikifika siku ya madhara,” he noted.

Resident Benard Okebo echoed the calls for urgent action.

“Hii kiji-nyuki hii haki inasumbua watu hapa. Tena inatakikana itolewe… So tunaomba serikali ikuje tusaidie hapa,” he said.

The traders are now urging county authorities to eliminate the bee colonies before more people are injured or lose their lives.