The County government of Trans Nzoia will partner with residents in establishing Kiosks and stalls in market centers to promote businesses.
The County Executive for Commerce, Trade and Industry Simon Kisigei said the move will enable the devolved unit to promote trade thus boosting living standards of its people.
Speaking during a public participation forum at Seum, Cherangany Sub County, Kisigei said the county government will only construct a few kiosks, while the rest will be done by traders after allocating them a place to construct.
“We don’t have enough money to construct Kiosks foe everyone but with the partnerships we will bring nearly all traders on board,” he said.
According to the executive, the government will construct the first model kiosks then traders who have the capacity will take over, under supervision of county officers for uniformity and quality.
The plan according the county executive is that residents will be given a grace period of two years before they start paying rent to the county government.
“We have seen that as the department of trade, we need to get development faster by incorporating residents in establishing structures,” he added.
He explained that the county government will announce the opportunity to establish model kiosks where those willing will be required to fill forms and apply for loans to build the structures.
“We are also trying to ensure that open air markets that have been dormant are functional. We have noted that some of the open air markets such as Suwerwa, Kapkarwa among others collapsed and need to be revived,” he noted.
Kisigei pointed out that the department is keen to make sure that most county residents engage in different types of businesses, which he said was the most effective way to address poverty.
The county executive said that so far the county government has built a market in each of its 25 wards.
By Pauline Ikanda
