County, Kombani market contractor row slows down Kwale economic takeoff

The Sh120 million Kombani Fresh Produce Wholesale Market was set to be a game changer for Kwale's economy. 

But the ongoing standoff between the contractor and the county government has further delayed the realisation of the county's dream. 

The market was expected to be in full operation by latest 2021 with an aim of easing market access for local traders and fresh produce sellers hence tapping employment opportunities and boosting trade activities for socio-economic growth. 

More than 6,000 farmers and over 1,000 traders had bet their lives on the market which is strategically located.

The market is located near the junction of the Mombasa-Lunga-Lunga-Tanzania and Kwale-Kinango highways in Matuga.

The ideal place for traders from Tanzania, Kwale and Mombasa to conduct business activities because of accessible roads and good communication network.

However, the traders' dream has not been realised as the fight between the contractor and county government continues.

On Monday Governor Fatuma Achani reopened the market and assured traders of safety and security.

"The court orders are very clear. They are barring us from re-tendering the project which we are not doing," Achani said.

"What we have in court is between us and the contractor. Let no traders be harassed by anybody, Everyone is now free to access and use the facility," she added.

The reopening followed a fracas between private security officers hired by the contractor to protect the facility and traders and residents who forced their entry into the market.

The commotion left  over 16 people injured. It is the second time people have shed blood after several residents were injured last year in December when the facility was set to be opened.

The market was for the first time launched by former Governor Salim Mvurya, Devolution Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter and Land CAS Gideon Mung'aro.

But the contractor moved to court to challenge the reopening forcing the market to be closed over payment issues and re-tendering the project.

Kwale government fired the contractor over shoddy work and abandoning the site.

The market's construction was tendered to End to End Limited.

Achani who reopened the market Monday after months of court battles and pressure from the local traders denied of any payment balances saying that the county paid the contractor.

She faulted the contractor for causing unnecessary scenes. However, End to End director Abdulrahman Mahmoud accused the county of defying court orders.

He said the county is yet to pay them Sh44 million and termed the contract termination by the county as illegal.

"The total amount of money we have received is Sh62 million out of the agreed amount of Sh106 million. Towards the end of the project the county unlawfully terminated our contract and refused to pay the balance," Mahmoud said in an interview in Mombasa.

According to Achani's directives, the facility is to actively start work on Monday having the full protection of police officers.

Hundreds of traders and residents are expected to for the first time  experience a modern market which is aimed at transforming lives.

Unfortunately, the traders might be forced to wait a bit longer as the contractor is said to have moved to court again seeking orders to stop the county from reopening and using the facility.

It would be a major blow for both Kwale residents and traders who are looking forward to investing in the market.

Simba Abdallah, a resident, who has just finished constructing stalls outside the market is disappointed that the delays in the market opening are causing him losses.

"Imagine I used all my money building these shops targeting customers from the market but nothing is happening," he said.

Abdallah said the conflict between the contractor and the county is to blame for the area's slow growth.

He said Kombani has remained dormant for years and the market was a major boost to the area's economy.

Abdallah said both the contractor and county should consider residents who depend on small businesses to make a living.

The market is funded by the EU in partnership with Kwale government.

It is expected to be the second largest market in the region after the Kongowea market in Mombasa.

According to a trader Mariam Ali, the delay in opening the market is harming their businesses.

She said they had prepared to buy bigger stock knowing the market will be fully functional but ended up recording losses.

Ali said most traders had secured stalls in the new market with an aim of getting customers from around the county.

She said they expected the market to create a competitive business environment to help grow their businesses.

"We thought we had hit the jackpot when we heard the market was going to be opened, however the facility is yet to be operational," she said.

The market is supposed to be the hub of farm produce, cereals, meat and fish since all traders are targeted to invest in it.

Matano Khamis an open-air market trader decried low profits because of unfair competition.

He said the opening of the Kombani market would have made a great change in their business since customers will be readily available.

Khamis said the ongoing conflict between the county and the contractor is harmful to their business and Kombani's economy.

The county had prepared farmers on modern livestock and crop farming whose produce were aimed to be sold at the new market.

-Edited by SKanyara