Kirinyaga County Government is constructing Togonye and Riakiania markets to accommodate 2,000 traders, bringing the number of markets constructed in the devolved unit to seventeen.
The markets will have modern social amenities, such as toilets, car parks, adequate water supply, proper water drainage, and an adequate lighting system to extend business hours.
Further, the markets will be fenced to enhance security.
According to Kirinyaga County Governor, Ann Waiguru, said the markets, and those constructed earlier, will support agro-processing industries, at the upcoming Sagana Industrial Park in easy aggregation of the agricultural produce.
“My Administration will continue supporting farmers, to upscale farming as well as providing a favourable marketing environment,” she said
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“We have also successfully lobbied the National Government for the construction of another three markets in Kiburu, Kimbimbi, and Mukarara, to bring the total to 20 markets against our target of 25 aggregation centres, across the County,” Waiguru said.
On his part, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, Livestock, Veterinary, and Fisheries, Dr. John Gachara, said the markets will serve as a crucial hub for traders and farmers, facilitating the shift from subsistence to commercialized farming.
Gachara said the construction of additional markets and aggregation centers has helped farmers earn more from their produce, reduced transportation costs, and post-harvest losses, and provided a direct link between farmers and traders, thus doing away with middlemen.
“Construction of all these markets by the County Government is meant to help farmers earn more from their produce, so as to improve their livelihood,” Gachara said.
Murinduko Member of the County Assembly (MCA), Charles Nyamu, said the market will also offer a big relief to traders, who did not have a central place to sell their goods.
He said that apart from offering farmers a place to aggregate their produce, the market will also boost revenue collection for the County, bringing in traders from far and wide.
The MCA pointed out that the market will play a pivotal role in boosting the local economy and generating job opportunities.
“This project not only ensures financial benefits for produce sellers in the market but also, with approximately 1,000 traders transacting, it will catalyze the growth of small-scale businesses, including clothing stores and hotels in the area,” he said.
