Muthithi traders in Murang'a reject Sh100m market upgrade

Traders in Muthithi market in Kigumo constituency, Murang’a, want a Sh100 million modernisation of the facility redesigned.

The traders have rejected the design by the Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise Development that would have seen a one-storey building constructed.

The new building was set to have modern sanitary facilities such as toilets and bathrooms for traders who sometimes travel from far off areas on market days to sell their wares.

Over 1,000 traders operate in the market.

But during a public participation forum organiaed by area MP Joseph Munyoro, the traders strongly rejected the construction of the storey building saying they want to be able to sell their goods on the ground floor.

The traders told the MP and national government administration officers that the funds should instead be used to upgrade the existing facilities to better their working environment.

The market was a few years back upgraded by the county government but the traders felt the upgrade was left incomplete.

They said despite being installed with water tanks, the market did not have water, which they said, compromises hygiene.

The sheds constructed did not cover enough space to provide stalls for all traders, leaving the majority of them exposed to the elements.

“Our main concern is having sheds so that our goods are not affected by rain or sun. We are not opposing the project but the extra funds can be used to set up another market in another area,” a trader said.

Felistas Wachera said they want a market that will provide equal opportunities to all traders.

Wachera said having a storey building advantages traders who get stalls on the ground floor as fewer customers go up the stairs.

She added that the entire market should have good flooring to avoid muddying during rains, and water provided.

“We don’t require a building with several floors. We just need good sheds for both goods and livestock traders,” she said.

Area MCA Boniface Mbau’s pleas to the traders to support the modernisation project were met with jeers.

The MCA asked them not to politicise the project that, he said, would transform the market for their good.

The MP had to intervene and announce that their views had been noted and that the design of the project would be changed.

He asked traders to select a few of their members who would meet with the contractor to have their needs incorporated in the project.

“The project was set to start on October 14 but with the redesign, it will have to take a little longer. This is why we did public participation so that they can give their views on what they want,” the MP said.

A borehole will also be sunk in the market to provide a consistent supply of water and maintain good hygiene standards.

The MP also visited the on-going expansion project at Kigumo health centre under which a Sh400 million modern facility is being constructed.

Upon completion, the hospital will have a fully equipped maternity wing, surgical and renal units and a mortuary.

Previously, locals had to travel Maragua Level 4 hospital or Murang’a Level 5 hospital to access such services.

“We have seen that the building is now set to be plastered, which shows that it is nearing completion. It is 75 per cent done,” the MP said.

With the county facing a heightened burden of chronic diseases such as hypertension, arthritis and diabetes, Munyoro said the upgraded hospital will come in handy to lessen locals’ suffering and ensure they access timely health care.

It will take health services closer to them and reduce the time and money used in travelling, he said.

The hospital will be fitted with a 500KVA generator that will ensure it does not suffer from power disruptions that could affect its operations.

“It will have four consultation rooms and will have specialists. The Ministry of Health will guide us on how the specialists will be engaged,” Munyoro said.

In its basement, the hospital will have a modern kitchen and laundry room while the ground floor will have a casualty room and consultation rooms for outpatients.

The first floor will have theatres, a CT scan facility and radiology services, the second floor will have pediatric and women wards while the third floor will have men's wards.

The national government is also constructing a modern building at Kigumo police station that will equip the colonial-era station with a modern cell and offices.

The MP also visited the Sh342 million Kangari market that is 55 per cent done and is set to transform the economy of the constituency.

The six-storey building will have facilities such as cold rooms, meeting halls, offices, and restaurants and will enable traders to buy goods in bulk and engage in trade with their counterparts from the neighboring Nyandarua county.

It will have a perimeter wall for security purposes.

Kangari town has been gazetted as a municipality and will benefit from projects funded by the World Bank.

Edited by Henry Makori