In a rare flexing of political say-so, ODM leader Raila Odinga has instructed Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko to help traders reconstruct Toi market after an inferno that led to loss of property worth millions of shillings.
Speaking on Tuesday morning when he visited the scene of the fire, Raila said Sonko must also ensure there is better security for those selling their wares.
Instructed Sonko
“Bwana Sonko ataingia hapa sasahivi, akiingia nshampatia instructions..Mabati imeingia hapa na ujenzi imeanza.. askari wasimame hapa wakilinda wananchi wakijenga (Governor Sonko is about to arrive at the scene, once he is here, I have instructed him to provide materials, iron sheets and ensure reconstruction begins.. police officers should also provide security as the traders put up their stalls),” he said.
The ODM leader also hit out at land grabbers accusing them of being behind the fire incident as has been the case at other places such as Gikomba market that has been razed several times.
“..kuna wale wanyakuzi ambao wananyakua wakiona kiwanja mahali wanaingia wananyakua.. nina hakika kwamba hao ndio wamefanya hii njama ya kuchoma alafu kesho waje na askari hapa waanze kujenga (There are those land grabbers who grab every piece of land they see. I am certain that they are the ones behind this fire so that they can come tomorrow accompanied by police officers and start building their own structures),” he said.
He also hit out at suspects linked to the corruption scandal at the National Youth Service (NYS) saying if it were not for the stealing of public funds, the slum upgrade project would not have stalled.
“Tutaanzisha hio mradi tena ili tuweze kuboresha maisha ya watu wa Kibera (We will start the slum upgrading project again to ensure that the lives of Kibera residents are improved),” he said.
Raila further called for speedy investigations into the fire incident at Toi market and the prosecution of those responsible.