no traders in city parks

The city council of Nairobi said that the Uhuru and Central park traders are the cause of the degradation and high insecurity in the parks.

Mr Marube, the public relations officer of the council said that the traders breached the agreement of the work permit when they indulged in activities that led to the depletion of the parks value to the public.

“Every work permit and licenses has terms and conditions that must be adhered to when operating a business. These traders have breached the terms and therefore forcing us to revoke their licenses.” Mr Marube said.

The traders were issued with a withdrawal of permits notice on Wednesday July 25, 2012 from the Director of Environment, which required them to seize their operations from Monday July 30, 2012.

The notice further states that alarming levels of degradation, loss of order, high and rising levels of insecurity all attributed to trading activities are the cause of the withdrawal of permits.

One of the traders however termed the move by the council as unfair and unjust, siting that they should not suffer for the councils failed works.

“We have paid to work here, how then can we be involved in these insecurity issues. If there is disorder it is the council that should bring order, they should also bring security and not involve us, “the traders said.

Documents provided by the trader, show that each trader has paid at least six thousand shillings to acquire the City council of Nairobi Business permit and the Department of environment clearance certificate for issuance of a trading license, to operate within Central and Uhuru Park.

The traders responded to the notice through a letter addressed to the Director of Environment that expressed their grievances to the issue.

“We have gone to seek audience with the director, but they always say she is in a meeting. We are still waiting for the response, before we plan our demonstration,” the trader said.

The notice given to the traders further states that “the withdrawal of permits will give the council an opportunity to develop a framework where traders will be able to do their activities without compromising the primary purpose of the exceptional recreational grounds.”

“The traders turned the park to a business premises whereas its objective is to provide recreational facilities,” Mr Marube concluded.

The park traders sent off by the council include photographers, soda and confectioneries, ice cream venders, swings and bouncing castle operators.