Kisumu: Kisumu County government is in the process of enacting two major pieces of legislation to streamline business activities in the city and the Kibuye Wholesale and Retail market. The legislation is also aimed at restoring sanity, law, and order at the troubled Kibuye Market, following weeks of tension and unease as traders complained of harassment and intimidation by a clique of people they termed as self-imposed leaders at the market.

According to Kenya News Agency, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in charge of Trade, Tourism, Cooperatives, Industry and Marketing, Ms. Farida Salim, announced that the county is enacting the Trade and Markets Management Policy 2025 and County Markets Management Bill 2025. These laws, which will soon enter the public participation stage, aim to resolve longstanding governance and operational challenges at the Kibuye market and address other gaps in the management of markets and business entities in the county.

Salim emphasized the necessity of operating under the rule of law, stating that no business could thrive in an environment where disorder is normalized. She highlighted the creation of a County Marketing Coordination Committee, chaired by the Trade CECM, to enhance coordination among city management, county government, and market stakeholders.

The CECM pointed out that past challenges were due to a lack of coordination between city management and the trade department. The new framework will ensure that the City Management Board collaborates closely with the Department of Trade for effective market and trade operations, thereby eliminating operational gaps.

The restructuring aims to improve service delivery and address the alleged domination, bullying, and chaos in Kibuye Market. Recent complaints from traders include accusations of assault and threats by market chairperson Judith Matengo, known as Nyaramba, who they claim was in office illegally.

Traders have demanded an interim chairperson, citing Matengo's expired term and the resulting leadership vacuum that led to market chaos, including a brutal assault on two traders. Matengo was arrested and charged with creating a disturbance, assault, and unlawful assembly. The prosecution argued against her release, citing fears of retaliation and further clashes.

Matengo will remain in custody until November 24, as ordered by Kisumu Principal Magistrate Robert Oanda.