A gathering of clothes vendors and small-scale traders at Marindi Market in Migori Town turned tense as anger flared over alleged intimidation by local cartels, illegal space allocations, and persistent neglect by the Migori County Municipality.
Although the vendors chose not to take to the streets, the charged atmosphere at the market spoke volumes as trader representatives gathered at a central point within the complex to voice their boiling frustration.
The traders singled out two individuals popularly known within the market as Olumwa and Collo accusing them of operating an illegal syndicate in collusion with rogue municipality officials.
Adding to the growing list of grievances, a trader representative named Martin reminded Governor Ochilo Ayacko of assurances he made when securing disaster funds after severe flooding destroyed the traders’ property.
According to Martin, the Governor pledged that the construction of a modern market facility would be completed by September to permanently address their plight.
The vendors, however, expressed deep cynicism over the progress, stating that there is currently no hope or tangible sign that the project will be finished as promised.
“When the floods destroyed our goods, the Governor brought disaster money and promised us that by September, the construction of the modern market would be complete,” Martin stated.
He added, “To date, we see no hope or progress toward completing this market as promised.
Political pretenders “Sabotaging the Governor”
In a sharp rebuke, the traders also accused Olumwa and Collo of hypocrisy, pointing out that while they claim to support Governor Ayacko’s political agenda and second-term bid, their destructive actions are actively ruining the county chief’s political standing.
According to the vendors, the cartels are hiding behind the Governor’s name to execute illegal space allocations, warning that their oppressive tactics, illegal container deployment, and extortionate behavior are souring relations between the county chief and the local business community.
The syndicate was accused of secretly deploying unauthorized shipping containers directly into trading spaces reserved for open-air clothes vendors without their consent. The placement of these structures has reportedly displaced nearly a dozen traders who have operated in those spots for years.
Rashid Ouma, Chairman of Bunge la Mwananchi in Suna West, noted that attempts by vendors to resist the illegal structures were met with night-time intimidation.
“For four days, an illegal container was dumped right here on the passage. When traders tried to remove it, goons were brought in at night to forcibly relocate it back into the trading space,” Ouma stated as the crowd voiced support.
“Every citizen in Migori has a constitutional right to speak the truth. You cannot intimidate traders with night attacks simply because they refuse to bow down to cartels.”
High taxes, zero sanitation
Beyond the container row and delayed construction, the gathered traders vented their fury at the Migori Municipality over dismal working conditions, accusing county officers of collecting daily levies while delivering no services.
The vendors highlighted a complete lack of clean water in the market’s washrooms, forcing traders to rely on untreated water drawn directly from the nearby Migori River.
Additionally, poor drainage and uncollected waste have created an unhygienic working environment.
“Traders are forced to sweep their own vending spaces every morning, yet municipality officers come at 2:00 PM every day to issue receipts and collect taxes,” Ouma lamented. “What service are they charging us for? There is no clean water, no proper drainage, and the market is filthy.”
Speaking on behalf of the affected vendors, Michael Okoth (famously known as Baba Pati),urged Governor Ayacko to intervene directly, deliver on his infrastructure promises, and purge cartels from the municipality before they completely damage his reputation among voters.
Okoth emphasized that the traders are genuine business people not political operatives and warned that political handlers are misleading county leadership while oppressing ordinary citizens on the ground.
“We are not politicians; we are simple traders trying to earn an honest living,” said Okoth. “The cartels broke down the market boundary wall for their own greed. We are asking Governor Ayacko to rebuild this wall within three to seven days to secure our goods from thieves, and to ensure every trader can operate without harassment.”
Following the assembly, the traders summarized their primary demands: the immediate removal of unauthorized containers installed by private individuals, accountability and speedy completion of the promised modern market, the urgent reconstruction of the market’s demolished perimeter wall within three to seven days for security, the restoration of running water and proper sanitation services by the municipality, and an immediate halt to night-time intimidation by cartels.
