Residents and market vendors in Kachumbala have accused supporters of musician-turned-politician Bobi Wine of robbing traders during his visit to the area earlier today.
According to eyewitnesses, Bobi Wine arrived with more than ten vans, each reportedly filled to capacity with passengers. Vendors allege that the large group overwhelmed Kachumbala Market, creating panic among traders.
One of the affected vendors, Opolot Stanley, said the group caused chaos by falsely claiming that police were about to raid the market.
“Those were real thieves,” Opolot alleged. “They came to the market shouting that police were coming to beat us, seize our goods, and fire teargas. Because there was heavy police deployment in the area, everyone panicked and scattered. Later, we realized the police were not targeting us at all. These people took advantage of the confusion and stole our products and money.”
Several vendors reported losing goods and cash and expressed regret over coming to sell at the market that day. By the time calm was restored, many traders said their merchandise had already been taken.
Another elderly Mzee Oinome Alfred wondered if someone who wants to rule a country can come and steal from the locals who are finding it hard to survive but to do small small businesses to earn a living, “ Inyobodo ber ameda nan eong abunere nee doo icie imuyaayin akoko eong epone ngon, ejok cuut epone ngon, lopoo cabo ekila aipuga ook akwap ngopengon? Ekokolan bodo bil ngesi da elope narai ber arai iupas ijo keda ikokolak luu adoketait aangin inyo mam ijo da ikokwa? Aiyiar tai,” said Oinome, loosely translating to, “ Why did some one who claims to be a leader come and terrorize and rob from us the locals, why did I even come to be robbed in the first place, how I wish I had known that boy is a thief together with his team, now see, how can such a person tell me he can rule a country when he is movies thugs?”
No official statement had been issued by police or Bobi Wine’s team at the time of reporting.
