The 400 traders capacity Bumala modern market is 84 percent complete, the Director of Communication at the office of the Government Spokesperson Joshua Sang has confirmed.
Addressing the press during an inspection tour of the project on Wednesday, Sang said that the project will be a great relief to the traders who have been operating under difficult conditions especially during the rainy seasons and extreme hot weather conditions.
“This market will have several components including breast feeding areas for lactating mothers,” he said.
He expressed satisfaction on the ongoing works adding that the contractor is ahead of the expected project completion timeline.
The official added that traders who were relocated from the construction site will be given priority when allocating stalls upon the project completion.
“We have a list of traders who occupied this space initially and they will be given first priority,” he said adding that additional local traders will also benefit.
The clerk of works for the project, Jack Olweny said the project was handed over to the contractor in December 2024 and was expected to be completed in June 2026.
Olweny explained that the scope of works of the project included the market itself, civil works, overhead water tank and electrical works. He expressed optimism that the remaining works will be completed in December this year.
Busia County Director of Housing Jason Abuga said that the site has been well lit to enable traders to sell their wares till 11.00 pm.
Abuga added that in a typical market day, the infrastructure will attract 1,000 more traders.
“In total, this market will have 20 shops, ICT hub to help the local youth with online trade and a hall that can be used by women to conduct table banking,” he said.
He said the infrastructure is also fitted with ablution blocks specifically designed for persons with disability and pointed out that several youths have also benefited from job opportunities among them welders, masons and plumbers.
“We also have parking areas for those who will be supplying goods to the local traders,” he said, adding that two tanks with 10,000 litre capacity water tanks will be installed to ensure continuous water supply at the facility.
Youths working at the project led by Brian Ajila expressed their pleasure, stating that the project has provided employment to them.
“Since the project started, many of us as youth have benefitted from it. The rate of criminal activities has gone down. I have also been empowered economically and through that I have opened my stall for fish,” Ajila said
The market is being constructed through partnership between the national government and the County government of Busia, with the former providing funds and the latter availing the land.
By Salome Alwanda and Rodgers Omondi
