Small-scale vendors at the Kakuma Municipality Market have raised the alarm over widespread extortion, demanding an immediate investigation by the Turkana County Government into the market’s management committee over allegations of bribery, illegal levies, and lack of transparency.
The traders, drawn from both the local host community and the refugee population, accuse the committee of charging exorbitant, unauthorized fees for stall allocations. Vendors report being forced to pay up to KSh 30,000 to secure a trading space a figure far exceeding the official county rates.
On top of standard county enforcement and maintenance fees, vendors allege they are subjected to arbitrary charges, including a KSh 3,000 “chairman’s fee” and an unmonitored KSh 2,000 contribution toward a women’s welfare fund.
“We have questioned these funds since 2023. The money has not benefited members, even during bereavements when the welfare fund was supposed to help,” one trader stated, emphasizing that most vendors survive on micro-loans to stock basic produce like vegetables.
Beyond financial exploitation, traders questioned the legitimacy of the current leadership, noting that the management committee has held office for nearly two decades without an election. When the committee was originally established, registration was set at KSh 7,000, but vendors say leadership has since operated entirely without accountability or democratic oversight.
The economic strain on vendors dates back to 2007, when their original settlement was demolished and residents were relocated. Many have struggled to secure formal employment since, with vendors claiming that even low-tier casual work such as wheelbarrow transport within the market—is strictly monopolized by individuals linked to committee leaders.
In addition to management corruption, traders are calling for county intervention on market regulation. They cited severe price manipulation by external suppliers who inflate costs on staple commodities like potatoes and cabbages when supply is low. Vendors are urging local authorities to establish clear policies that separate farmers from traders to ensure fair allocation of spaces and equitable pricing.
Facing mounting loan repayments and county taxes, the vendors have appealed to the Turkana County Government to step in, audit the committee’s financial records, mandate leadership elections, and establish a transparent system to protect vulnerable small-scale businesses.
