The new multimillion market in Ngong, Kajiado county has been operating in darkness for the last three weeks after KPLC disconnected power over unpaid bills.
On Friday, some 4000 business people allocated stalls in the ultra-modern building were forced to pay Sh20 each to fuel a generator to be able to light the building.
The Sh745 million modern market was financed by the World Bank through the Nairobi Metropolitan Services Improvement Programme.
The works were launched in 2019 by Kajiado Governor Joseph Lenku, alongside the then Transport Cabinet Secretary Eng. James Macharia.
Traders have been allocated stalls at the new four-storey building which has been designed to hold various businesses on different floors.
The ground floor accommodates grocery traders, the first floor is to hold traders dealing in household supplies and accessories, the second floor is for second-hand clothes traders and the third floor has hotels, saloons and entertainment shops.
Ngong Market traders’ committee chairman John Seuri could not be reached for comment regarding the electric power disconnection.
The county government is collecting business fees from the traders at the largest market in the region.
We were also not able to talk to county finance minister Michael Semera to comment on the matter that has forced traders to operate up to 9 pm instead of midnight.
A resident of Ngong, Henry Kinuthia, said the power outage at the Ngong market is causing insecurity jitters among the traders.
Moses Maina, a grocery trader, said many traders at the market risk attacks from goons every time the sun sets.
Isaac Njenga, who deals majorly in plastic utensils and accessories also told the Star he is worried about darkness.
The facility that sits on a one-acre land is billed as the biggest modern market in East Africa that is expected to propel Ngong town to a 24-hours economy and attract international investors.
