Huruma Ward Aspirant Decries Alleged Bias in Crackdown on Small Traders in Eldoret
He claimed that counterfeit dealers function without interruptions while enforcement operations specifically target particular people whom they believe to be guilty.
Huruma Ward DCP party aspirant Harun Maina . Photo by Mahlon Lichuma
By Mahlon Lichuma
Huruma Ward DCP party aspirant Harun Maina has condemned what he describes as unfair and selective enforcement by anti-counterfeit authorities in Eldoret, following the circulation of a viral video showing a distraught female trader whose goods were allegedly confiscated during a recent raid.
In the video, the trader identified as Saroz Shoe Collection is seen in emotional distress, saying she is grappling with debt, family responsibilities and depression after losing her stock. Maina said the footage highlights the intense pressure faced by small-scale traders who rely on daily sales to support their families.
“This is not just about business; it’s about humanity,” Maina said. “When you see a woman crying about her children and her loan, something is clearly wrong with how enforcement is being carried out.”
Maina questioned why enforcement operations appear to target small retailers while large wholesalers allegedly selling similar goods continue operating without interruption. He cited a well-known wholesaler, identified as Wajose, whom he claims supplies traders in the same area where the raids occurred.
“If accountability is the goal, then start from the source,” he said, alleging that the wholesaler operates using both wholesale and retail licences, making it difficult to trace the origin of goods once small traders are targeted.
He warned that aggressive enforcement without thorough investigation could have serious mental health consequences for vulnerable traders. Referring to the woman in the video, Maina said her business supports her children’s basic needs and services outstanding loans.
“If anything happens to her, we must reflect as a society whether we did the right thing,” he said.
Maina urged both county and national governments to intervene, calling on President William Ruto to address the matter, noting that Eldoret is his home region. He argued that such actions undermine government efforts to empower small-scale entrepreneurs.
“You cannot give someone KSh 20,000 and expect them to buy high-end goods,” he said.
He insisted that any court action should begin with large suppliers rather than small traders and pledged to support legal action if justice is not served.
“We are not asking for special treatment,” Maina said. “We are asking for fairness. Small or big, traders are equal.”
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