Sh92m market boost for fresh produce traders

Food traders operating near Meru town have a reason to smile after the county government commissioned a Sh92 million market.

The Makutano Fresh Produce Market will host about 1,000 traders. 

Governor Kiraitu Murungi said the facility will shield the traders from dust and rain, and has better drainage and sanitation.

“I improved the conditions for traders at Gakoromone market and decided to do the same for the people of Makutano,” he said.

“We made efforts to put up this market because we don’t want to see traders selling their produce in mud, having seen how bad the condition here changes when it rains. My vision was to empower traders by improving the environments they work from.”

When he was elected in 2017, Mr Murungi said, many traders asked him to provide them with markets. “This is a way of empowering our farmers and traders,” he said, adding he is determined to improve markets in all sub-counties in a project that will include paving the streets with cabro.

In September last year, the county government announced it had set aside Sh116 million geared towards making the town dust-free through paving of major streets.

Deputy Governor Titus Ntuchiu said the administration is determined to develop the county and spur economic growth.