Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi who launched the construction said he expects enhanced safety of the traders and security of the produce.

Meru County last month commenced the construction of a Sh94 million market that will remove thousands of banana traders from roadsides on the main Nairobi-Meru highway.

The market will be at Ntharene, the busiest banana trade centre where about 400 tonnes of bananas change hands every Monday with a turnover of Sh5 million.

Meru Banana Cooperative Society has 4,200 members who bring their produce to Ntharene. Traders arrive from as far as Mombasa, Nairobi, Nakuru and Marsabit to purchase stock.

The ripe fruit stores look neat and orderly, with disciplined traders who do not venture into the highway. But the Monday wholesale trading is chaotic.

The county government of Meru estimates to organise about 3,500 ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/farmkenya/article/2001360416/have-you-ever-thought-of-starting-a-banana-farm">farmers<, traders, loaders and transporters who arrive every Monday for trading and with no market on site, all transactions take place on the roadside.

Market chairman John Mutugi said when the construction is completed next year, users will be shielded from challenges brought about by weather and risks associated with trading on the roadside.

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