Commissioned by President William Ruto recently, the Chuka Modern Market in Tharaka Nithi County offers a totally different work environment for traders, replacing the deplorable and crowded makeshift sheds with a modern office-like experience.
Mr Abdi Kani, the Site Manager, said that the new market is fully equipped with enhanced facilities such as the offices, ICT hub, open and lockable stalls, meeting hall, a room for lactating mothers, cold storage, food court and children’s playing area.
He said that the market is spacious and accommodates 400 traders adding that it also has a designated parking space for vehicles. “This market is named Modern Market because it is an upgrade from the previous markets. It is equipped with everything modern and you find everything you need inside the market,” Kani said.
“At the peak of the construction, we had 500 workers who were sourced from the community around here so we have employed people from Chuka, this project has benefited them,” he stated.
Walking around the new market, Lucy Mbaka, who is the chairperson of Marigiti Market, was beside herself with excitement, describing the switch from the old market to the new market as a total transformation.
“This is Marigiti market. Before it was newly constructed it was like a slum. This is the new Marigit market, a building constructed by President Ruto. We are very thankful because the old market was almost inhabitable,” she pointed out.
She also thanked Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who comes from the county, for helping President Ruto to implement the Bottom Up Economic Transformation (BETA) which focuses on uplifting small enterprises and farmers.
“We are happy for the development projects they have brought here and we wish them good life, blessings. Their development projects may God oversee it because God is also with us, as people of Marigiti we are very happy because of this project,” said Mbaka.
According to her, the new market offers a dignified environment complete with running water and ablution blocks. “The livelihood for the people of Marigiti has improved because of this project, since cleanliness is next to Godliness so our lives will improve,” she observed.
“We are happy because we need clean water and also a clean environment. Before the new market was constructed this place was very dirty and it was tough for traders so we appreciate the good effort the government has put in,” she added.
As chairlady of Marigiti, I want to thank our President William Ruto together with his Deputy Kithure Kindiki for taking into consideration to construct this market and we feel special, she continued.
And, for his part, Edward Wesong Were who is a terrazzo expert, said the new market offers a conducive trading environment for vegetable vendors and other small scale traders, describing it as real transformation.
“Before these Affordable Housing and Market Projects, you could only hear them in cities especially Nairobi and first world countries and see them in TVs. But the Bottom Up economic Model which is implemented by the government is now reality,” he pointed out.
“It provides a conducive environment compared to an open market, selling on streets, when it rains it disrupts your business. Also there were open sewage lines so the open market was not good, it was bad for both traders and buyers,” he said.
He added: “With this market project completed mothers breastfeeding have a place they can breastfeed, a playing ground for children of business mothers to play. There are hotels where people can eat and it will boost the livelihoods of the locals.”
