The Kirinyaga county government will spend a significant share of its budget to build new markets for small- and medium-scale traders.
This is a promise made by Governor Anne Waiguru as part of her efforts to boost trade.
Her administration has built five modern markets in the past year. They are Kiamutugu, Wangu'ru, Makutano, Kagio, and Kagumo. More is needed to meet a surge in demand.
During the commissioning of Makutano and Kagio Markets, Waiguru said three more markets will be built in the area and more across the county. She urged those who have been selling their products by the roadside to migrate to the upgraded markets to ease congestion in towns, and provide space in carparks. Waiguru said the county plans to increase revenue from the parking lots to continue providing services.
"We've set a budget to increase more markets at Kagumo, Kianyaga, and Keruguya to meet the rising requests by residents," she said.
The former Devolution CS said she is committed to ending decades-old suffering caused by scarcity of trading space. Farmers have complained about inadequate markets for their produce. Waiguru said they have to empower all residents to improve lives and livelihoods.
“My desire is to uplift and dignify the lives of residents, as provided in the county's Mountain Cities Vision," she said.
The county chief expressed concern that most farmers suffer huge losses when supply is high, particularly when they have no points of sale. This must stop, she promised. She reiterated plans to set up a tomato canning factory in the newly founded Sagana industrial park. They will also produce rice wine. In major towns in the county, especially Kagio, residents had difficulties selling their produce on earth floors, which expose their products to mud, rot, and dirt.
Joyce Wamunyiri, a trader at Kagio market, said the banana business was a tedious exercise, especially during the rainy seasons.
"The market's floor has now been paved with cabro blocks, and stepping and selling on mud is now a thing of the past," she said.
John Warui, a fruit vendor at newly opened Makutano market, said they had been selling perishable edibles in an open market, exposing them to major losses, especially during hot seasons.
The traders thanked the county government for upgrading markets and providing shades to protect their produce from hot temperatures.
The Waiguru administration has built modern toilets and water systems to improve drainage in the markets. All markets have floodlights and electricity connexions. Waiguru said these are parts of plans to ensure a 24-hour economy.
The county plans to distribute 150,000 avacado seedlings to promote farming and agrobusiness.
