Kiambu County Governor Kimani Wamatangi on Tuesday commissioned the newly constructed Gitaru Market in Kabete Sub County to accommodate 700 traders.
The Gitaru Market was a project of the previous administration that had stalled for four years after its launch.
Through the Department of Trade, Industrialization, Tourism, and Investments, the governor picked up the market construction last year and extended the project to increase the market’s capacity.
“Initially, Gitaru Market was contracted to cater for 500 traders but now it can accommodate about 700 traders, we had to consider egg sellers who were left out of the plan and who conduct their business outside the market in the scorching sun and also deal with the rains,” Wamatangi said.
Further, he said he aims to refurbish and construct modern markets in the region to improve the trading environment and ease traders’ congestion.
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“We are committed to investing in market infrastructure, capacity building, and empowerment of small and medium-sized enterprises as these will help increase revenue uptake,” he said.
He also promised to ensure that all markets earmarked for construction will be properly designed to accommodate more traders and attract customers.
“This is a win-win situation, the County to increase markets and this will double or triple the number of traders who in return will pay taxes to the administration,” he said.
On the other hand, Kiambu County Executive Committee Member for Trade, Mburu Kangethe, lauded the project, saying the market will help solve hawkers’ problems and reduce crime.
“I am encouraging the youth to take advantage of these modern trading spaces and engage in business and help in revenue generation and shun from alcohol and drug abuse and become better citizens,” Kangethe said.
Moreover, he revealed that plans are underway to construct a carwash in the market to create jobs for the youth.
On his part, Kabete Member of County Assembly Jane Thogori assured the traders that together with the existing market committees to ensure that the stalls in the market are allocated to rightful beneficiaries in a free and transparent manner.
“I want to assure residents and traders that the allocation of stalls will be transparent and only genuine traders will get spaces in the new facility. I am also asking the Governor to consider constructing a second market to accommodate even more traders,” the MCA said.
