•The market will have coolers and will act as a collection centre for agricultural produce.
•Exporters will help farmers package their produce for exportation.
The national government has disbursed Sh210 million to construct a modern market at Kangari town, Kigumo constituency, Murang’a County.
Area MP Ruth Mwaniki said the market will cost Sh340 million and will facilitate exportation of agricultural produce from county.
The market will also act as a collection centre for produce from the region to ensure a constant supply.
“I have been lobbying for the market for a long time and the government has released the first batch of the allocation to kick-start the project while the rest will be disbursed later,” the MP said, adding that it will be constructed as a stimulus project.
She noted that the market will have fresh, dry and horticultural produce coolers to keep them fresh for exportation.
The MP said she will consult some of the top exporters to help local farmers package their produce for international market.
She pointed out that lack of a consistent supply made it impossible for local farmers to access the export market which she said prompted her to lobby for the market.
Kigumo, she added, is a very rich horticultural zone enabled by favorable climate, soils and numerous rivers.
It also neighbours Kinango Constituency in Nyandarua county, which majors in potatoes and vegetable production.
“This means Kangari is strategically located to harness all these produces for exportation and ensure there is an undisrupted supply while increasing farmers’ earnings,” the MP said.
The MP said the country should focus its attention towards exportation as a means or earning foreign exchange and self sustenance.
“We know if we package our produce, they will reach United Arabs Emirates (UAE) market in nine days,” she said.
The MP said this while issuing 50,000 face masks and sanitisers to representatives of market traders, boda boda operators, coffee factories and tea factories on Friday at Kigumo Bendera grounds.
She also distributed foodstuffs to the needy, noting that local administrators have a list of the households that require relief food and that they will be assisted.
The MP also issued 10,000 avocado seedlings and 6,000 cypress seedlings to locals, underscoring the need to conserve the environment.
“Failure to conserve our environment could lead to the drying up of our rivers which supply water to the people of Nairobi through Ndaka-ini dam,” she said.
Mwaniki further noted that she has reserved 50,000 more masks for issuance to schools when they re-open.
She however urged the government not to bow to the pressure of re-opening until it is convinced that it is safe.
The government, she said, should not do something that puts the lives of millions at risk.
“Do not allow external pressure to push to re-open learning facilities until the virus is controlled and when they are re-opened, we will be ready with face masks for both teachers and students,” Mwaniki said.
The MP said that she is producing more masks which will be continually distributed.