Drama in Kisumu:ANGRY traders at the famous Kisumu Oile market yesterday stormed the County Assembly and ejected MCAs from the afternoon sittings protesting against planned relocation.
The rowdy traders wielding twigs and stones scared security officers at the Assembly gate making their way into the compound.
They then broke a door to the Assembly and found their way inside scaring MCAs who had already sat waiting for the speaker to start the session.
The MCAs scampered for safety for fear of being attacked by the rowdy businessmen before police came to their rescue.
Police officers under the command of outgoing OCPD Musa Kongoli and AP commander Elisha Cherono and Augustine Kamaria were forced to lob teargas canisters at them to scare them away.
They engaged the police in stone throwing but were eventually quelled.
The traders accused the MCAs of working on a bill that would see them relocated from Oile market.
They had ambushed the MCAs and security officers including the police.
Curiously, Kisumu Central Police Station is simply separated by a fence from the Assembly.
Acting City Manager Doris Ombara last Friday told Journalists of their plans to relocate traders from the Oile market as well as hawkers within the town.
She said they are in negotiations with Railways Company to provide them with a field near the Kisumu Railways Station to have the traders temporarily.
But the traders dismissed the plans and vowed to oppose it.
The MCAs were set to discuss a report that was to be tabled by the committee of planning and trade proposing relocation of the traders.
A section of the MCAs have however, accused Market Milimani Ward representative Edwine Anayo of inciting the traders.
Speaking at the assembly after the chaos yesterday, Central Seme Ward representative John Kadede moved a motion to discuss on the conduct of Anayo who is alleged to have incited the traders to storm the assembly.
Kadede said it was not in order for a leader at the assembly to incite people against the house.
He said it was unacceptable because they discussed the motion that would see the traders relocated to other places because they cared about their welfare.
The motion was seconded by Nerea Okombo who said the house has to discuss the conduct of the MCA.
Okombo said before Anayo went to the house he was spotted at Oile market inciting traders not to allow their relocation to other places.
She said the house should take action and suspend the member for such conduct.
Deputy Majority leader John Olum said the MCA must be charged for the damages incurred in the assembly.
He said Anayo must be suspended for one year and be charged.
“If the clerk does not record a statement with the police then he will also be brought in the house and his conduct discussed,” Olum said.
Nominated MCA Faridah Salim said she almost got an accident after running from the traders who were throwing stones to both men and women.
She said the issue was uncalled for after committing their time and suspending other businesses on Wednesday to discuss how they can help the traders.
“I am a victim of gender based violence in this house after the honorable member (Anayo) once slapped me in the same house and you members pleaded that I should leave the matter,” she said.
Anayo later came to the house when his conduct was being discussed but members wanted him out.
He was compelled to leave and the debate went on without his presence.
By the time of going to press, the assembly had not reached the final decision on the action to be taken against him (Anayo)
Ends…
