There was drama in Embu town when traders staged demonstrations over the delayed re-opening of the recently renovated Embu Bus Park.
The traders blocked the Embu-Kiritiri highway paralysing transport, before forcing other traders who had opened their businesses to close them down and join them in the push to have the bus park reopened.
Police officers who tried to calm the highly charged demonstrators were pelted with stones before they reopened the bus park for themselves.
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Mugo Mate, who is the chairman of Kenya National Chamber of Commerce Embu Chapter, said traders who have shops in the bus park have been suffering for over six months since it was closed down.
‘’Traders have suffered for so long. This bus park should be opened within 24 hours,’’ he said.
Plea to Embu governor
He called on Governor Cecily Mbarire to wave all the license fees for the traders saying businesses have suffered for over six months since it was closed down.
Kirimari Member of County Assembly Ibrahim Swaleh, who joined the demonstrators, said the bus park will remain open to save the dying businesses within it.
He called on the police not to harass the traders and matatu operators who had now started resuming operations in the bus park.
Some of the traders and matatu operators who spoke to K24 Digital said the most important parts had been constructed wondering why the county government had delayed reopening the facility. They said that customers had reduced significantly since the bus park was closed down for construction.
Other traders accused officials in the office of the governor of planning to use the bus park as a political tool.
"We know there is no coin from the county government, so let them not pretend they built it using their money. The governor should come clean on the delays on opening it,’’ Michael Njeru, a trader, said.
