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The Kisumu government is fencing the 12-acre Kibuye Market ahead of the construction of modern structures for traders.
County communication boss Alalah Odwuor said the fencing being undertaken by the National Youth Service is in preparation for the commencement of works.
The works, he said, also include the opening of roads, improving sanitation, establishing the management office and fire management system at Sh35 million.
“The county is committed to improving the market to boost trading activities. We want traders to do business in a conducive environment,” Alalah said on Tuesday.
Last week, city manager Doris Ombara said the planned construction of a modern market was on course.
Ombara acknowledged the delays of construction works which she attributed to numerous court cases that have since been dealt with.
The city manager said they will open roads and improve the drainage system to make it more efficient for users.
“The initiatives are aimed at easing traffic within the market,” Ombara said.
She noted that the market will be re-designed to avoid fire outbreaks attributed to electric faults due to poor and illegal connections.
The administration has temporarily relocated more than 900 traders to the five-acre parking space at Moi Stadium as part of efforts to fight Covid-19.
Ombara said the move is aimed at decongesting Kosawo Market, where traders had been moved after the Kibuye market was closed.
Kibuye, the largest open-air market in the lakeside city, was closed last month by Governor Anyang' Nyong'o.
It had about 3,000 traders on normal days and about 10,000 on market day (Sunday).
Initially, the county government had planned to invest Sh410 million to build two modern markets in the town.
Former Governor Jack Ranguma planned to put up a six-storey complex at Kibuye Market and a three-storey building at Jubilee Market.
He said the markets were to have modern toilets, electricity, and shop outlets under the Sh4.5 billion Kisumu Urban Project funded by the French government.
Ranguma said when complete, Kibuye Market will accommodate more than 1,000 traders, while Jubilee will host about 600.
But Alalah said due to court cases over the Kibuye land, the project delayed forcing the county to find alternative ways.
“We still have the design but the initial budget was hived off. We were dealing with donors and the cases derailed the commencement of the project,” he said.
(edited by o. owino)
