Nyandarua County Commissioner Amos Mariba wants the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Committee (Rerec) and Kenya Power to install security lights in new Miharati market in Kipipiri Sub County of Nyandarua County.
He urged the County Development Implementation and Coordination Committee (CDICC) to pursue the matter to ensure that the lighting was install in the new market for security reasons and ensure that operations were extended into the night hours.
On his part, Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA) chairperson James Muriu who read a speech on behalf of Principal Secretary for Trade Amb. Johnson Weru said that there was a probability to expand the market to ensure that it serves more traders.
“I am happy because this project will change this region and ensure that everyone benefits from such projects. This is my first market to officiate and we are glad that it has happened.
“I want to ask the market people to ensure that the market is clean and this can be achieved by partnering with the county government to get the dustbins for dumping,” said Muriu.
He asked the political leaders present to source for other markets abroad for the products produced in Nyandarua since not all the produce can be sold in the newly opened market.
In his speech that was read in absentia, the PS promised the government would continue partnering with various agencies to ensure Nyandarua develops and the residents benefit from such development.
The PS said the market will be beneficial to farmers who will meet with customers at the market. This he said would mitigate the post-harvest losses. The market cost a total of 7.8 million inclusive of renovation of the market.
The PS encouraged the farmers to embrace the market and use it maximally.
Nyandarua County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture Dr James Karitu and who is holding the trade docket at the moment representing the governor said that the market was started over ten years ago and he thanked the national government for ensuring that the market was now operational.
Amos Kimunya the area Member of the National Assembly and Majority Leader of the National Assembly who was also present expressed his joy for the completion of the project that will help the residents have access to a modern market.
MSEA CEO Henry Rithaa thanked the traders for agreeing to be relocated during construction of the market.
The traders had complained of rain and the poor condition of the market.
He said that MSEA had already gotten the money allocated to the market and promised the continuation of the construction. He also promised to deliver more services to the youths through MSEA.
“We have youths here and we have registered many youth groups and we have helped them establish various businesses. We have established car wash machines for the registered youth groups.
“We shall also give two welding machines to Geta location youths in Nyandarua,” said Rithaa.
Kenya youth and employment program funded by the World Bank had received applications from 820 youths in Nyandarua and 15 million of the said funds have been allocated to Kipipiri Sub County.
By Antony Mwangi
