Magistrate withdraws from Kisumu market case
Personnel from the National Youth Service fence Kibuye open air market in Kisumu on May 22, 2020. PHOTO | ONDARI OGEGA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The case was filed by traders who challenged their eviction from the market by Kisumu County government to pave way for the construction of a ‘modern market’.
Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong'o suffered a setback after a magistrate withdrew from a case on the construction of Kibuye market.
The case was filed by traders who challenged their eviction from the market by Kisumu County government to pave way for the construction of a ‘modern market’.
Senior Principal Magistrate Robinson Ondieki, who was to give a ruling on the matter on Wednesday, recuse himself without giving any reason.
“I have recused myself from the case and therefore it will be handled by the chief magistrate Peter Gesora,” he said.
Mr Gesora who mentioned the case on Wednesday, said that he will need more time to familiarise himself with the case before he decides whether to take it up or not
"Whenever a magistrate recuses himself or herself from a case it means that there could be something. I may take it up or not but I need time to familiarise myself with it first,” said the chief magistrate.
Last month, John Odeyo and Joseph Bill on behalf of Kibuye Market Traders Association and Kibuye Market Traders Welfare Association, sued the local government and Kisumu City Manager Dorris Ombara for demolishing their business premises rendering them jobless.
Some of the traders evicted from Kibuye moved to Moi Stadium, while others moved to other markets in the county.
