Kisumu: National Government Undertakes Construction of KSh 50M Modern Market

The national government has embarked on the construction of a KSh 50 million, modern market for Kisian open air traders in Kisumu, under the economic stimulus program.

Speaking to The Nyanza Review at the site on Saturday, January 4, the project manager Naphtali Gowi said that after the completion of the modern market, the national government will hand over to the county government of Kisumu.

He further added that the new modern market, will benefit Kisian open air traders, in regard to their presently location, along the busy Kisian- Holo- Bondo highway, which puts their lives at risk.

“The traders have no market at the moment, but once the ongoing project is completed and handed over to them, they will improve their businesses and save lives,” said Gowi.

He added that the market will comprise of a ground floor,  first floor, as well as an ICT room. Additional rooms will include the kitchen, toilets, dustbins as well as a septic tank, for traders to access clean water.

He further stated that the project delay was caused by failure to identify the site for construction, further delaying the start of the project.

“The project duration was supposed to be six months, but it delayed to kick off the ground as expected due to the delay in the identification of the project site,” he said.

The traders chairman Jackton Apiyo on his part said that Kisian open air traders have been in business for over ten years without a modern market.

He lauded the national Government for taking the initiative to embark on the viable project, which he said would improve their businesses.

He further expressed concerns over persistent power failure, which  plunges the entire Kisian training center in total darkness.

“We would wish to call upon the county government of Kisumu to follow up the matter with the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC), so as to help resolve the matter once,” he appealed.

The traders also appealed to South West Kisumu MCA Jennifer Obonyo to chip in and do everything at her disposal to resolve the issue with KPLC.