The construction of a modern market at Kangari trading center in Murang’a County, Kenya, is progressing well having achieved the 45% completion mark barely 11 months after the project was launched by the Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i.
This came to light when members of the County Development Implementation and Coordination Committee (CDICC), led by their Chairman Mr. Karuku Ngumo visited the site.
Upon completion, the market which is a 6-storey structure with facilities such as cold rooms, meeting halls, offices, and restaurants among others is earmarked to house close to 650 traders. The market is also constructed in a way that it can give persons living with disabilities opportunities to do businesses on the premises.
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During the site visit, the contractor of the project for the construction of the modern market at Kangari promised the CDICC to hand over the market latest by the end of September this year.
Stall issuance at the future modern market at Kangari
According to Murang’a County Commissioner, Mr. Ngumo, the already registered 520 traders who were relocated to give space for the construction of the modern market at Kangari will be given priority in the allocation of stalls.
“The traders who were displaced will first be allocated stalls, and the remaining spaces will be balloted. Once the traders occupy the facility, it will then be handed over to the Murang’a county government administration,” explained Mr. Ngumo.
He promised that the issuance of the stalls will be transparent, urging traders who were displaced and have no place to carry out their businesses at the moment to be patient till the project is complete.
Expectations for the project
Funded by the national government of Kenya to a tune of slightly over US$ 3M, the project is one of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s flagship projects in the central region, and it is expected to boost food security and create employment opportunities in the region.
What we reported in March 2021
Construction of modern market in Murang’a, Kenya kicks off
Construction of a modern market in Kangari town, Murang’a county, Kenya has kicked off. Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i recently launched the US $3.1m project which is expected to spur horticulture and fruit farming in the region.
According to the CS, once completed the project will ensure local traders get an opportunity to venture in international markets as many export companies will have space for collecting and packaging of fresh produce for overseas markets. Matiang’i was accompanied by ICT CS Joe Mucheru and his Transport, Infrastructure and Urban Development counterpart James Macharia.
The six storey building will be served by tarmacked roads linking it to the Naivasha dry port for facilitation of exportation of the produce. The project is expected to be completed within a period of less than a year as funds have been allocated in the current financial year.
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Boosting the economic status of the area
Kigumo MP Ruth Wangari who accompanied the team lauded the government for coming to assist local farmers saying the facility will boost the economic status of the area. The MP has been lobbying for the modern market saying the area is productive and most of farmers’ produce go to waste due to lack of proper storage and enough markets.
Transport CS James Macharia said that the Mau Mau road which is under construction will link Murang’a county with Nyandarua and Naivasha thus facilitating easy movement of produce to the slated dry port.
