Gift Kasaro
An aspiring candidate for Executive Mayor for the city of Lusaka has appealed to the Ministry of Local Government and Housing along with other line ministries to lift the ban on selling food on the streets.
In recent days a combined team of Lusaka City Council and state police have been conducting raids enforcing a ban on the sale of food stuffs on the streets in a bid to combat the cholera outbreak that has rocked some parts of the city.
But Gift Kasaro, who wants to run as an independent, argues that the practice is not the cause of the cholera outbreak.
The youthful Kasaro has advised the local authority to channel their energies towards issues that require urgent attention such as unblocking the drainage system as well as educating and sensitizing Lusaka residents on proper hygiene methods.
The 26-year-old pointed out that the move taken by government to ban the selling of foods in the streets will have negative effects such as an increase the rate of crime as well as promote prostitution, which in turn will increase the rate of HIV and AIDS.
“I want to appeal to the Lusaka City Council, Ministry of Health, Local Government and Housing to lift the ban of selling foods stuffs on the streets because it is not the cause of cholera,” Kasaro said. “Instead of the them using their energy to raid the streets, let them channel it towards improving the drainage system and sensitizing Lusaka residents on hygiene.”
“This ban will have negative effects to the well being of the people of Lusaka as selling food is their only source of livelihood. This has the potential to increase crime and prostitution in the streets leading to a rise in HIV and AIDS cases,” he added.
And Kasaro has pledged to improve the face of Lusaka city, by enforcing existing laws such as the payment of ground levy, market levy and registration.
He promised to work on the poor drainage system which has been problematic over the years and the cause of the never-ending foods the city experiences especially in and around the central business district. He also promised to ensure that the local authority becomes viable and sustainable through the increase of revenue collection.
He stated that he is contesting as an independent because it is the first time the position of mayor will go through the ballot, adding that Lusaka needs a mayor that is free from political influence.
Kasaro claims has received endorsements from not less than 30,000 residents.