The government has opened a new Sh99 million Mweiga market in Kieni West, Nyeri county.
The market built through the Economic Stimulus Programme was opened by Lands CS Jacob Kaimenyi on Wednesday.
The market with modern stalls is expected to turn around the lives of more than 620 traders who will directly benefit from the project. They are guaranteed a cleaner environment for business.
The market was handed over to the county government through the Governor Nderitu Gachagua who said only genuine traders will get stalls.
The market was completed about three years ago, but has been lying idle awaiting the handover ceremony.
Nyeri county has 10 other small markets built under the ESP several years ago.
MPs Kanini Kega of Kieni, Peter Weru of Mathira and John Waiganjo of Ol Jororok and Nyeri Senator Mutahi Kagwe attended the ceremony. They said no strangers will get stalls in the new market until the local genuine ones are considered.
Kaimenyi said the government is concerned about "professional negligence" among some contractors, which has led to collapse of buildings and deeply, most recent being the Huruma tragedy in Nairobi.
“To address this challenge, my ministry in conjunction with county governments, especially the Nairobi government, has proposed drastic measures to be taken," he said.
The measures include conducting comprehensive structural tests on unsafe buildings, demolition of structures on road reserves, riparian and wetlands and unblocking of drainage channels to reduce flooding, Kaimenyi said.
“The government will continue supporting county governments in construction to deal with rogue developers, including arresting them and demolishing buildings," he said.
"Many times, county government officials have been repulsed by criminal gangs when they try to enforce remedies for unsafe buildings.