By Wainaina Ndung’u
Nyeri, Kenya: The business community in Nyeri wants the county’s budget to give priority to infrastructure development and security as well as support services to agriculture.
Speaking in Nyeri during the public hearing on budget proposals, business community leaders called for expansion of Nyeri business district to accommodate expanding trade.
Matatu sector leader Peter Ndirangu said Nyeri town experienced shortage of parking space as well as residential areas and business premises.
He said 3,000 matatus operate from limited bus termini in the town, creating a parking nightmare during off-peak hours.
Bus termini
Ndirangu wants the county government to allocate new bus termini in areas such as Ruring’u and King’ong’o estates as a way of expanding the town boundaries and creating a new income stream.
The business leaders also said the new county government must prioritise provision of security because many businesses closed before dusk due to insecurity.
“The dream of achieving a 24-hour economy wouldn’t be realised if crime is not tackled urgently. Even many of our residents can hardly move out of their houses after 6pm,” said Mr Ndirangu.
Youth and women leaders said the high rate of crime was due to joblessness that could only be addressed through provision of professional education and job creation.
Simon Wachira of the Mt Kenya Tourism circuit urged the county government to take advantage of huge unexplored tourism potential in the region.
