Relief for traders as Sh60m fish market complete

Jane Awino remembers how she nearly lost her life when a storm destroyed makeshift structures at the Busia Fish Market in January 2019.

Strong winds hit the market and her stall was uprooted with the iron sheets covering her.

The 600-odd fish traders ran to safety, as Awino lay beneath the destroyed structure.

She managed to crawl out of the debris with minor cuts on her hands and head.

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Two days later, angry fishmongers wanted to petition Governor Sospeter Ojaamong to construct a permanent modern fish market where they can safely work from. 

In July 2019, the construction of the Sh60 million cross-border trans-shipment and wholesale market in Busia town began.

Chief Officer in the directorate of Fisheries and Agribusiness Moses Weunda has however confirmed that the market is ready and traders will move in soon.

The completion of the World Bank-funded market through Kenya Devolution Support Programme comes as a relief to fishmongers who operated in makeshift structures for over 30 years.

The one-storey building can accommodate more than 1,000 traders from the initial 500. The county government used to collected Sh50,000 daily but the revenue is projected to increase.

Busia Cross-Border Fish Market Management Unit chairman Francis Akech confirmed that original traders will be given priority.