In Gikoe town, Mathioya subcounty, Murang’a, traders are brimming with optimism as the national government undertakes the construction of a modern market.
The Sh54 million project will feature a facility designed to support 204 traders, along with a social hall and an ICT hub among other amenities.
Johnna Mwita, a clerk in the works department, provided details about the one-storey market’s progress. “Construction began in May this year and is slated for completion by November. Currently, the building is 43 percent complete,” Mwita explained. “The ground floor will accommodate 124 traders and include dry rooms for cereal vendors, cold rooms for vegetables, a children’s playground, and a lactation room for mothers.”
Mwita noted that the first floor will house 80 traders, an eatery, an ICT hub with space for 20 people, and a social hall with a 60-person capacity. He also mentioned that around 25 local workers, both skilled and unskilled, are employed daily on the project.
Naftali Kimani Toro, Chairman of Gikoe Market, praised the government for funding the construction. Kimani highlighted the long-standing challenges faced by local traders, such as adverse weather and unsanitary working conditions. “Traders have had to operate along risky roads and use makeshift structures during rain, which offer insufficient protection,” Kimani said.
He believes the new market will enhance economic activity in the area along the Murang’a-Kiriaini road. “The market will not only create jobs for vendors but also benefit those in the transport sector,” Kimani added.
Kimani also pointed out that the ICT hub will offer local youth opportunities to acquire digital skills and access online job platforms.
Mercy Wanjiru, a local trader, expressed her frustration with the current lack of modern facilities, which often leads to merchandise damage during the rainy season. “Rain and muddy conditions have negatively impacted our business and driven customers away,” Wanjiru said.
She commended the government for the initiative and urged that traders who have been operating in the town be given priority for stalls in the new market. “We want to ensure that the existing vendors, who are well-known, are not overlooked in favor of newcomers,” Wanjiru concluded.
