Traders at the newly opened Matsangoni Market in Kilifi County have shut down the facility over delays in receiving KSh 500,000 promised by the county governor to support their businesses.

The traders say the funds were expected to reach them by yesterday through the office of the area Member of the County Assembly (MCA), but the money had not been received by the time they decided to close the market.

Led by Mama Joyce Shoka, the traders staged a protest on Thursday and marched to the local chief’s office to seek an explanation over the delay.

The traders have since refused to resume business inside the new market, opting instead to sell their goods outside the facility as they did before its opening.

Shoka says some county officials visited the market to listen to the traders’ grievances, but their concerns remained unresolved.

The traders, including women and elderly business owners, insist they will not return to the market until the promised funds are released.

A total of 82 traders operating at the market are affected by the standoff, which has disrupted business at the facility opened just two days ago.