- The Trans Nzoia county government ordered all traders at the Masinde Muliro Market in Kitale to vacate within 24 hours
- CECM Omulo Pius Gumo cited the absence of an Occupation Certificate as grounds for the eviction notice
- Traders with valid allocation documents or leases were told to present them to the CECM's office within the specified period
The Trans Nzoia county government has issued a 24-hour eviction notice to traders at the Masinde Muliro Market, officially known as the Multi-Storey Business Complex, in Kitale, ordering them to clear out their goods from the premises immediately.
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The notice, signed by county executive committee member for Lands, Housing, Physical Planning and Urban Development Omulo Pius Gumo, targets all occupants of the building located on Kitale Municipality Block 4/276.
Grounds for the eviction notice
The county government cited a failure to obtain an Occupation Certificate as the primary basis for the order, stating that occupying the building without a Certificate of Compliance contravenes the Physical and Land Use Planning Act, 2019, and the Physical and Land Use Planning Regulations, 2021 (Legal Notice No. 251 of 2021).
"All occupants must vacate the premises and remove their goods within twenty-four (24) hours of service of this notice," the directive states.
The county warned that traders who fail to comply will face enforcement action, including the re-securing of stalls, with the costs of such action recovered from the occupants themselves.
"No Occupation Certificate has been issued by this office for the Premises...The occupation of the Premises is therefore unlawful."
Traders urged to verify tenancy documents
The county urged affected traders to act swiftly to limit their losses. Any trader holding a valid allocation document, lease, or written authority relating to their stall was instructed to present the paperwork to the CECM's office within the 24-hour window to have their status verified.
"Any person who fails to vacate within the time given will be dealt with in accordance with the law. The county government will take enforcement action, which may include re-securing the stalls and recovering from the occupants any costs incurred. Occupants are advised to remove their goods and other property to avoid loss."
The notice also addressed damage to county property at the facility. According to Gumo, padlocks fixed on stalls belonging to the county government had been broken by some occupants.
He warned that tampering with county property is unlawful and stated that the administration reserves the right to report such cases to the police for investigation and prosecution, in addition to recovering the cost of any damaged items.
The eviction notice threatens the livelihoods of hundreds of small-scale traders who depend on the market for their daily income. It remains to be seen whether enough traders can verify legitimate tenancy before the deadline passes, or whether the county government under Governor George Natembeya will proceed with full enforcement measures.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
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