Threats, deception and a Sh 47million market (Part 2)

Early this year, reports suggest that the vandalism of London market stirred up controversy, putting pressure on the area MP Samuel Arama, who allegedly attempted to transfer the facility to the county government.

The county declined, but inside sources reveal that an agreement was reached to employ youth for round-the-clock security.

“We later learnt that three people were employed by the county to guard the market and are allegedly receiving salaries, despite the ongoing vandalism. They've been there for about four or five months.”

In September, the structure finally collapsed.

When asked about those responsible, Theo attributes it to local youth who sold the materials as scrap metal.

“As you can see, even the iron sheets are being stripped away. This will continue until everything is gone - the sheets, the metal, and the walls. Nothing will remain to show for this expensive market,” Theodore explains.

When asked about the street urchins we'd noticed taking shelter there, Theo expresses concern, “I feel sorry for them because when things go wrong, they'll be the first to be blamed instead of the actual perpetrators.”

Regarding the EACC case, Theodore expresses frustration, “We were dissatisfied with the authority's response. They mentioned bringing in a valuer as part of their investigations, but we haven't received any conclusive feedback since then.”

“Due to this lack of progress, we're in the process of initiating a second audit as we maintain there's no value for money in this project. The situation has only worsened with the neglect and vandalism. We demand accountability,” Theodore explains.

In a quest to understand more about the market, Mtaa Wangu reached out to Nakuru Town West MP Samuel Arama, seeking clarity on the allegations surrounding the market.

The legislator dismissively responded, “Markets are devolved- look for the county government.”

When pressed further about the funding, noting that only he could provide clarity, Arama explains through a phone interview, “It was the national government who gave money through a grant. At that time, we used to do markets, like those in town, Nakuru East. The national government gives a grant to the county government, and when they (national government) finish, they hand it over.”

Asked specifically about the London market, he firmly maintains that it was handed over to the county government.

"So once they finish, they handover and so that's what we did. We handed it over. Even the one in Mwariki, they were all handed over to the county government," reiterates Hon. Arama.

However, when pushed about the specific timing of the handover, he deflects noting “I can't remember. Go and ask them (county government), they have the records.”

Mtaa Wangu reached out to the County Executive Committee (CECM) for Trade, Cooperatives, Tourism and Culture, Stephen Kuria, seeking confirmation about the alleged handover of the market to the county government.

“That is incorrect,” Kuria firmly states.

“It is a national government project. We don't even know the cost, and no documents can be traced concerning that market. If it was indeed handed over, the county government would have allocated the market to traders just as we have done with many other markets. For example, we have already allocated the Naivasha Modern Market and the Nasha Market to traders.”

He insists that the market does not belong to the county government.

“We were waiting for the handover, but even before that could happen, the market fell apart. In a nutshell, it remains a project under the National government,” Kuria adds.

“The right people to answer these questions would be the State Department of Housing and Urban Development. They are the ones who constructed that market, and they can even provide you with the cost and other details.”

We try to find out how many occupants the market would hold suppose it was operational, to which Kuria maintains, that the county government has no details at all regarding the market.