No Mitumba selling in Kitale: Youth cry foul of idleness, insecurity during COVID-19 pandemic

Traders in Trans
Nzoia county selling second hand clothes famously known as ‘Mitumba’ were on Thursday
forced to close their businesses following a directive from the county government
in a bid to stop the spread of coronavirus.

On a better
day of Thursday, police were in town sending home idle persons on the streets,
ensuring that ‘Mitumba’ stalls remain closed.

This has
resulted to youths, who were surviving from ‘Mitumba’ business, ending up in
gambling.

“Since they
closed the market I have been surviving through trying my luck out in gambling
and other online sites. Life has been tough. Yet we have to survive.” Said
Samuel wanyonyi a youth at Shanti area in Kitale.

According to
Mr. Wanyonyi, many youths in the county are currently idle posing danger to
security state of the county.

The youth
are now calling upon the county government to allow them finish up their stock
to get some cash to push them through the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I sell
jackets and had just acquired a bail before the markets were closed. Now the
little money got is over, I have nothing to keep my family going. The government
should allow us finish up the stock as we observe the measures,” he added.

The government
suspended importation of mitumba clothes on March 20, in a move to limit the
importation of the virus and boost the local textile industries.