Construction of the Sh54 million Sosiot Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) Modern Market in Belgut Sub County, Kericho County has reached 89 per cent completion, with the two-storey facility set to provide modern trading space for 200 traders once completed.
The project, which commenced on April 26, 2024, has also provided employment to an average of 40 to 50 local people every day, with the workforce rising to about 80 workers daily at the peak of construction, giving youth and other residents an opportunity to earn incomes and support their families.
The modern market, being implemented by the National Government under the State Department for Housing and Urban Development, is expected to replace congested roadside trading spaces in Sosiot Town with organized business premises equipped with modern facilities to improve the trading environment.
Belgut Division Assistant County Commissioner Doronew Wanjala said only a few works remained at the project, including electrical and mechanical installations, tiling, painting of stalls and completion of ablution facilities.
He said the market would comprise 200 smart stalls, with 100 stalls located on the ground floor and another 100 on the first floor, providing secure and organized business premises for traders.
“The facility would particularly benefit small traders, including women selling agricultural produce, by providing a decent place to market their goods and reducing losses caused by inadequate storage and poor trading conditions.” Added Mr. Wanjala
The Assistant County Commissioner said Sosiot market attracts approximately 3,000 customers on a typical market day, with its catchment extending beyond Belgut to parts of Soin Sigowet Sub County.
“The Government intends to reduce losses that occur after harvesting of agricultural produce due to lack of decent places for marketing. Women in Sosiot, the wider Belgut Sub County and parts of Soin Sigowet will benefit from this facility,” he said.
The new facility will have a cold room to provide suitable storage for perishable agricultural produce, helping traders maintain the quality of their goods, extend their shelf life and reduce post-harvest losses.
Wanjala said the market would also have an ICT hub with Wi-Fi connectivity, enabling traders to access online markets, digital services and business information as they seek to expand their enterprises in the digital economy.
The facility will further include a social hall for meetings, training sessions and community events, a mothers’ room for breastfeeding mothers, a children’s playing area, a kitchen, modern ablution blocks and a waste collection facility.
The market will also have disability-friendly access walkways and a parking area with capacity for 28 vehicles, providing additional convenience for traders and customers.
Beyond the infrastructure, Wanjala said construction of the market had already delivered tangible benefits to the local community through employment, particularly for young people who secured both skilled and unskilled jobs during the construction period.
“Most of our youth and members of the community have had an opportunity to work here and demonstrate their expertise, both skilled and unskilled,” said Wanjala.
Sosiot Market Chairman Joseph Siele expressed gratitude to the Government for the project, saying the modern facility would provide traders with an organized environment from which they could grow their businesses and earn a livelihood.
“We are very grateful to the Government for giving us this market. Our people have also been employed during the construction, and many families have benefited,” said Siele.
The project is being implemented by Resjos Enterprises Limited, with project officials saying challenges encountered during construction had been addressed through collaboration between the contractor and relevant authorities.
The project is among National Government-funded ESP markets being implemented in Kericho County, with Chesinende and Kapkatet markets at various stages of completion, while construction of the Kipsitet ESP Market has commenced following the handover of the site to the contractor.
By Dominic Cheres
