The County Government of Trans Nzoia has handed over 20 modern stalls to traders at Kamukunji Market following its upgrade by Kitale Municipality.
Speaking during the handover Tuesday, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Lands, Physical Planning, Housing and Urban Development, Pius Gumo, said the project aims to improve the business environment for small traders.
“We are working together with you to improve the business environment. This is not just government work, it is shared responsibility,” Gumo said, adding that the initiative targeted traders from poor backgrounds and hard-to-reach areas.
“The process is slow, but the goals are clear. Already, we have achieved some progress, and we remain committed to reaching more beneficiaries,” he said.
Kitale Municipality Vice Chair, Alice Nderitu Waruguru, said the project would move to phase two this financial year. The phase will include more stalls, public ablution blocks, and a reliable water supply.
“We have delivered 20 stalls today, and in this financial year we plan to add more. We are also preparing to build public ablution blocks and ensure reliable water supply,” Waruguru said.
She said traders would be required to pay for the stalls, but rates would be reviewed fairly.
“We want to maintain high standards of cleanliness and water quality. The market will remain pedestrian-friendly, with belongings being well organised to ease movement,” she said.
Members of the Kamukunji business community hailed the county government for the upgrade, saying it will go a long way to better their business activities.
“Since 2021 we have been struggling under makeshift structures. With this upgrade, our business lives will change for the better,” said Jane Kwambai.
Youth representative Sale Namawa Sifuna praised the transparency of the project. “This project is clean, and we want it to continue like that. We are ready to collaborate with the government to sustain progress,” he said.
Trader Stella Waswa said the new stalls were safer than their previous ones, which were located near sewer lines. “Now we can do business without fear, feed our families, and sustain our jobs,” Waswa said.
The traders pledged to pay rent and maintain the facilities, expressing hope that phase two would deliver more stalls and better infrastructure.
The handover was witnessed by Kitale Municipality Manager Irene Nang’ole, Municipal board members, technical staff, and other county officials.
by Isaiah Nayika
