Nairobi embarks on plan to refurbish markets

Refurbishment of city hall market in progress in Nairobi

KENYA: Nairobi City County government is refurbishing markets to ensure better hygiene and increased volumes of trade.

The city government believes better markets will increase opportunities for traders and residents.

The initiative, being spearheaded by Governor Evans Kidero, will see markets upgraded to modern standards which will allow Nairobians to run decent businesses.

In August, Anna Othoro, the Trade and Industrialisation County Executive, inspected the City Market in Parklands, which is currently being refurbished. Once completed, it will be the largest retail market in the country. Othoro said: “Phase I of the City Market will soon be unveiled. It will accommodate more than 1,000 traders who will be registered using the e-jijipay system that ensures payments are made directly to the county. The system prevents fraud.”

The City Market Phase I includes the construction of 12 blocks of open shade and 22 food stalls while Phase II will include 22 food courts, worktops, drainage, two toilet blocks and individual stalls partitions. Work will begin early September.

Kidero said: “Fire gutted the City Park market early this year and the county government acted by donating Sh5 million as compensation to the affected traders. This initiative was aimed at promoting trade and tourism within the county.”

The governor also said Nairobi City Park was one of the most outstanding picnic sites in Nairobi whose rehabilitation will promote local and international tourism.

Also being rehabilitated are major markets in the county such as Dandora, Umoja I, Muthurwa, Burma and Mowlem markets.

The county government also plans to construct 10 more markets in the county, all geared towards ensuring trading takes place in decent conditions.