Nyongo to give Kisumu fresh facelift to attract investors

Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong'o. [David Njaaga, Standard]

Governor Anyang' Nyong'o's administration has rolled out plans to give Kisumu a fresh facelift to attract investors and market it as a tourism hub.

The plan targets to restore order within the city by kicking out traders from various points and barring public service vehicles from accessing certain areas.

Prof Nyong'o's administration also plans to slap sugarcane-hauling trucks with a Sh10,000 fine for accessing the city.

City Manager Abala Wanga revealed that his office has ratified the proposals after a meeting with City Inspectorate officials.

Wanga said they have banned hawking in the streets.

He warned that unlike before when they used to confiscate traders wares, anyone found hawking in the CBD would face arrest and heavy fines.

"There will be no street vending. Traders can occupy the over 13 modern markets in the city," said Wanga.

The Sh600 million Uhuru Business Park is still idle after traders abandoned it and opted to sell their wares along the streets.

The county government also plans to remove street families from public parks by January 15.

Wanga blamed the street families for a wave of crime reported at Oile and Taifa Park.

"The street families have become a security risk to those planning to use the parks for recreation," said Wanga.

Livestock farmers will be slapped with Sh1000 fine for each animal found loitering in the city.

Wanga said the city's traffic marshalls will also help control traffic within the CBD.

"The Kamas and Ahero Mowuok stages will be dismantled to ensure smooth traffic flow," said the City Manager.

He asked Traders who have erected stalls on top of drainage to remove them.

"This also applies to traders running stalls outside the Jubilee market and the bus park without approvals," said Wanga.

Last year, the devolved unit demolished stalls erected on drainage as part of efforts to restore order in the city.