For many years Hawkers and street vendors in Nakuru Town have faced numerous challenges as they struggle to make ends meet.
This despite having a voice in matters Nakuru Town politics.
Through their chair Paul Waithaka, they revealed that they have played key role in ensuring that they win political seats.
As they go on with their businesses, they meet different people and always share the agenda of the aspirant they choose to support.
For the last 15 years, the hawkers decried that they have been neglected.
Lack of Water and latrines as well as sheds remains major challenges facing them.
The lot has in the past been misused by a section of leaders for their own political gains.
However, this will be a thing of past as Nakuru Town East Parliamentary seat aspirant Wakili Boniface Githinji Ndumia has vowed to look into welfare of the hawkers and street vendors.
Addressing when he held a meeting with hawkers in Nakuru Town, Wakili Ndumia assured the hawkers that he is rolling sleeves ready for the task ahead to make Nakuru Town East Constituency a better Constituency than before.
He noted that Parliament is a critical arm of Government, but the Lawmakers who have been there have had gaps in terms of legislation and representation of the people.
The Lawyer who once served as a milk vendor and also in matatu industry, called on hawkers who contribute greatly to the economy to ensure that they make right decision on ballot.
He revealed that already the new water tariffs in Nakuru have been challenged in court and he is optimistic that the courts will make a determination and revert to the old tarrifs.
According to him, the economy is doing badly and needs urgent resuscitation as Kenyans cannot even access loans for businesses.
He urged Nakuru Town East Constituents to shun politics of tribalism, but elect patriotic leaders who can help transform the economy without greed.
“If businesses cannot access loans, then it means we are going the wrong direction. It is time to make the change in our leadership,” he said.
Fiscal planning should be within the law to avert hawkers and vendors being harrassed.
He regreted that SMEs have continued to run the economy of the county, but they get poor services from water to sanitation and space of operation.
This, he attributed to poor leadership with week oversight at County level.
“We need to ensure better leaders from MCAs to the top. This is the only way to ensure development,” he said.
Integrity in the management of public finances is one area that Wakili Ndumia vows to ensure in place under his leadership as MP.
He noted that there has been a lot of malpractices when it comes to bursary disbursement under NG-CDF.
According to him, he will ensure education funds are paid direct to schools as per the number of students beneficiaries.
On 2027 politics, Wakili Ndumia pointed out the need for electorates to vote for leaders with conviction and principles.
He noted that gone are the days when Political waves played role in elections, adding that ‘suit voting’ will have no room come 2027, but leaders will be elected based on their integrity and character.
“We need to vote with conviction and principle. Let’s not vote for leaders because of their political alignment or tribe, but based on their capability to serve,” he stated.