Kilifi Governor Orders Traders & Transporters to Relocate in 30 Days or Risk Revocation of Licenses

Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro on Wednesday, February 5, gave traders and transport operators a 30-day ultimatum to relocate their businesses from the roadside to allocated spaces or face the full arm of the law.

Through the Department of Environment, the governor warned of revocation of licenses to those who do not comply with the fresh directive.

“This is a warning. We are giving a one-month notice that if you, as a businessperson, are conducting your business on the roadside while they know very well there is a dedicated market, we do not care if you are licensed or not licensed. As the Department of Environment we will revoke your license without you knowing,” stated Flora Mbetsa, Kilifi’s deputy governor. 

“Therefore, I want to urge all the business people of Kilifi, if you know you are conducting your business on the roadside contrary to the law, you have one month to plan accordingly,” she added.

To that effect, Mbetsa, on behalf of Mung’aro, directed traders and transport operators to seek the relevant authorities to be allocated spaces in markets or bus parks.

“You can go to the Sub-county Environment officer, the Sub-county officer, or the market officer and be allocated your slot and be relocated. After one month, we do not want to see (matatu) stages or people selling tomatoes by the roadside,” she averred.

The governor’s directive was seconded by traders at Mtwapa Market, who lamented over the low number of customers occasioned by the influx of roadside traders. The traders claimed that the move by the roadside traders undercut their businesses as consumers would buy from the roadside instead of going directly to the market.

This was further echoed by transport operators, who stated that despite the market having ample parking space for matatus, buses, and boda boda riders, transport operators still insisted on picking up and dropping passengers from the roadside.

The move by Mung’aro’s government came after observing an escalated number of traders and transport operators conducting their businesses along highways and other roads. 

According to the county, the behaviour posed significant safety hazards as well as undermined the substantial government investments in the construction of modern markets and bus parks in all towns within the county. 

“It is inequitable that while some traders and transport operators make use of the allocated facilities, many others persist in operating along busy roads, leading to disorder and compromising safety. To ensure fairness, safety, and proper environmental stewardship, all traders and transport operators are hereby informed to move to the designated markets and bus parks in close proximity to them within a month from today, February 5, 2025,” the county government asserted.

While issuing the directive that is set to run till March 5, Mung’aro urged Kilifi residents to collaborate with the government to create a “safer, more organised, and suitable environment for trade and transport activities.”