The government is constructing 400 fresh markets across the country to enable women and men to do business in a good environment, Deputy President (DP) Prof. Kithure Kindiki has said.
Prof. Kindiki said this on Thursday at AIC Mukuyuni Secondary school where he disclosed that construction for 200 markets that were at different stages was ongoing currently.
He said that the markets would have cold rooms and an ICT hub equipped with 100 computers each to be used by the youths to look for jobs online to uplift their lives.
“We want women and men to work in a good environment honourably. They will not be rained on when it rains. This will give them dignity,” said Kindiki during a fundraising for women’s groups and boda boda riders in Kaiti Constituency.
“Our youth will look for jobs online. They will do e-commerce; that is how you can transform a country,” he observed.
Currently, the government is constructing markets at Makindu town and Kilala and Mutulani trading centres. Also, the government has advertised for tenders to construct markets at Kikima and Mbumbuni towns in Mbooni West and East Subcounties respectively.
Prof. Kindiki further said that the government intends to employ 10,000 youth in each county under the relaunched Kazi Mtaani programme in the country.
The youth are expected to plant trees, clean the environment and do other social community works aimed at combating unemployment among the youths in the country.
On electricity, the DP revealed that the government is going to spend Sh2 billion to connect homes in all the constituencies in the country.
He added that Sh305 million would be spent to connect 18,000 families in Kaiti Constituency in Makueni County.
“We have a programme to connect electricity in homes in all the constituencies in the country. In Kaiti Constituency, 18,000 families will be connected with electricity,” he said.
On compensation, Kindiki revealed that the government has Sh800 million meant to compensate individuals who were affected by the construction of the Kibwezi-Mutomo-Kitui road.
Concerning roads, the DP said that the government has included money in the budget for the 2025/2026 financial year to tarmack 20 kilometres along the Ukia-Emali road. However, he did not disclose how much money would be spent.
Prof. Kindiki cautioned politicians against doing early campaigns, saying this was a time for doing development, hence the need to have unity of purpose to enhance the lives of the people in the country.
Consequently, DP reminded politicians that time for politics was two years away and urged them to help the vulnerable women and boda boda riders by uplifting their lives.
“Assist the vulnerable who are in need of help. If you give something at the grassroots, it will uplift the lives of many women and youth,” Kindiki said.
By Patrick Nyakundi
