A modern market is under construction in Mwatate town, Taita Taveta County. The project is being implemented by the county government in partnership with the World Bank. The US $463,606.86 project being implemented through the Kenya Urban Support Programme (KUSP) is set to be completed before the end of this financial year to accommodate over 200 small-scale traders in the area.
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Revamping the economy of Mwatate town
The proposed Mwatate market is expected to revamp the economy of the town which acquired a municipality status in 2019, and hosts the county headquarters. The traders are optimistic that the new market will open up business opportunities for them especially after huge losses they have incurred since the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic.
According to Mwatate market chairperson Sophline Muya, the traders are ready to move to the new facility. the market committee is working with the county government department of Trade to allocate stalls and spaces to traders but called for total cooperation between the department officials and the traders. We hope process of allocation of spaces and stalls in the new market shall be transparent to us genuine traders,” she said.
She also pointed out that some of the traders might fail to get allocations since there are only 200 stalls out of the 350 traders in the market, but urged the department to allow some of those who will miss permanent stalls to erect shades outside the market to accommodate everyone.
County executive for Trade Daniel Makoko said the devolved unit is determined to make the business community operate in a conducive atmosphere. “The market will revamp the economic status of Mwatate town which has been lagging behind despite being the county headquarters and increase the county revenue. The traders will operate in a better place. We will collect revenue from them and this will enable us offer good services to the traders,” he said. He further revealed that the traders have already applied for the spaces and the allocation process is ongoing.
KUSP is a five-year World Bank programme targeting 45 counties across the country aimed at improving infrastructure. Mwatate and Voi towns are beneficiaries of the infrastructural development project, economic setup and the general modernisation of the urban areas.
