At least Sh100 million has been set aside to upgrade the Muthithi market by the national government in Kigumo constituency after traders okayed plans to have it storeyed.
The traders had in October this year rejected upgrade plans, saying they wanted it to remain an open-air market.
The traders who spoke during a public participation forum told MP Joseph Munyoro that having a storeyed market would disadvantage some of them.
This, they said, is because buyers tend to buy items from traders on the ground floor and may not prefer stalls located on the upper floors.
The Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade and Enterprise Development had drawn a design that would have seen a one-storey building constructed.
The traders had said the funds allocated for the upgrade should be used to provide proper sanitary services and improve the water supply.
In a meeting held with the MP and officials of the national government, the traders demanded that 70 per cent of the labour be sourced locally and construction materials procured from local outlets.
The market’s chairperson John Wanyoike said traders realised that upgrading the market was for their own good and would ensure they have a conducive place for business.
“We will work with the contractor to ensure the project is successful because all the issues we had raised through our MP have been addressed. We cannot let such as project pass us by,” he said.
The MP handed the project to the contractor for construction works to commence.
The market was upgraded by the county government a few years back but the traders felt the upgrade was incomplete.
Water tanks installed in the facility did not have water and toilets were in a deplorable state, compromising hygiene.
The sheds installed did not cover the entire market which left a large number of the traders exposed to sun and rain, while the stalls only covered a section of it.
The market attracts more than 1,000 traders each week and its upgrade is set to change the face of the Kigumo constituency which is largely rural but with rapidly growing towns.
The constituency is highly agricultural and depends on the sector for its economic survival.
In Kangari town, the national government is also in the process of pumping Sh342 million to transform the Kangari market into a modern market that will help local farmers export their produce.
The market has been fitted with cold storage facilities to preserve produce and ensure consistent supply.
The six-storey market will also have restaurants and offices and will accommodate 650 traders.
Kangari town is the second fastest growing town in Murang’a county after Kenol and has been gazetted as a municipality.
