Chaos in Mombasa over Joho's new move

dennis kibet

May 25, 2017 7:34 AM

The protesters were supported by Hassan Omar, Hezron Awiti and Suleiman Shahbal.

Police and county government askaris remove bonfires lit by traders protesting their eviction at Buxton in Mombasa.

Transport was paralysed on the busy Abdulla Al-Farsy Road in Mombasa after angry traders took to the streets protesting against the demolition of their stalls by the county government led by Governor Hassan Joho.

Business came to a standstill as more than 100 protesters blocked the road near Buxton foot-bridge disrupting flow of traffic on the busy road.

Joho’s rival in the upcoming gubernatorial contest, Nyali MP Hezron Awiti was among leaders who led the demonstrations.

The traders accused the Mombasa county askaris of demolishing their kiosks and stealing goods during the process.

The traders also complained of being forced to occupy stalls which have been put up by the county administration, saying they cannot afford them.

Anti-riot police were quickly to the scene after the traders lighted bonfires and erected temporary road blocks in the area using logs.

The Quick Response Team of the Kenya Police were forced to lobby teargas canisters at the protesters.

Awiti was joined by Joho’s other rivals Wiper’s Senator Hassan Omar, and Jubilee’s Suleiman Shahbal in condemning the demolition by the county government.

Awiti gave Joho’s government a three-day ultimatum to explain the move behind the destruction of the traders’ stalls or face an even bigger protest in Mombasa.

“These traders must be compensated because their income has significantly been affected,” he said.

Shahbal and Omar echoed Awiti’s sentiments blaming Joho’s administration of being insensitive to the plight of small-scale traders and harassing hawkers.

Shahbal termed the demolition as heinous and lacked legal backing.

"Where does the county want them to go? Why couldn't they offer an alternative site where they would be settled upon the evictions?" he posed.

dennis kibet