By Bondry Kilenga
KOTIDO: The undaunted venders who have for a long time been operating businesses in illegal kiosks and makeshift structures in Kotido streets have finally been evicted forcibly by Kotido municipal authorities in a move to streamline trade and creating order in town.
On Wednesday, September 3, 2025, the municipal law enforcement officers and the hired youth in company of the anti-riot police stormed Abim road and police road and started razing down kiosks and makeshift structures along the road reserves.
The exercise follows the expiry of one-week deadline issued on August 28, 2025, by the Kotido Municipal Town Clerk Emmanuel Okaja, directing all the vendors operating businesses in kiosks and makeshift structures to remove them.
Following the enforcement notices which were issued way back from May 31, 2029, November 14, 2023, and April 8, 2024 to remove all the kiosks and makeshift structures at the central business district, you are hereby asked to remove and relocate your property before September 2 2025,” reads the notice .
Okaja warned that failure to comply, municipal council shall go demolish the kiosks at the owner’s cost.
Despite the expiry of the deadline and the forceful eviction warning, the vendors adamantly continued operating as usual, forcing the municipal law enforcement officers to swing into action.
The affected vendors comprising mobile money operators, chapatti makers and eatery operators, watched helplessly as the law enforcement officers razed down kiosks and makeshift shelters.
However, the exercise has been re backlash from the affected vendors and the mayor Peter Abraham Irar who are saying that the eviction order was on a short notice.
With desperation written on her face, Anna Grace Sagala, who operates eatery along Abim road next to Travelers Bar said she has lost her source of livelihood.
“Where am I going to school fees for my children for the family up keep”, Sagala cried.
Silver Okorinyang, a phone mechanic who has been operating electronic shop opposite Shansia Super Market said that traders need a grace period of more than one month to look for alternatives before the demolition of kiosks.
He explained that organizing the town should not push people into unemployment.
Their sentiments were echoed by the Kotido Municipality Mayor Peter Abrahams Irar who accuses the municipal council of acting in haste.
He claimed that the demolition of kiosks and makeshift structures was enforced without consultation with the vendors.
Irar faulted the municipal council for hastily evicting the vendors without an alternative place for relocation.
However, Kotido Municipal town Clerk Emmanuel Okaja defended the kiosk demolition exercise, saying that it’s legal and would continue to rid the town of all non-permanent structures in town.
Okaja blamed the kiosk operators for failing to heed to the municipal council’s several ultimatum asking them to leave, adding that if they had taken heed, there would have been no inconveniences caused by the demolition.
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