Traders at the main wholesale market in Eldoret have commended the Uasin Gishu County Government for refurbishing the place making it conducive for doing business.
The traders are now requesting the County Government to allow them to operate on a 24-hour basis once the country’s economy is fully opened after Covid-19 interruptions.
The merchants said the refurbishment has improved the state of the market greatly making it attractive to many customers.
Let by Susan Wangoi Njoroge, Mary Akoth Songa, and Jane Mbone, the business community cited the installation of CCTV cameras at the market, provision of clean water, appropriate roofing, cementing of the market floor as key steps that have led to increased numbers of customers.
They said before devolution the number of customers was low, especially during the rains because accessibility was a major challenge because of mud.
The Uasin Gishu County Executive Committee Member, (CECM ) for ICT, Trade and Industrialization, Dr Emily Kogos, says construction of more than 21 markets across the County have been completed so far.
Dr Kogos said the objective is to improve the economy of residents by providing market for their produce and also creating jobs. She urges residents to embrace value addition.
The traders noted that initially insecurity was rife with thieves brawling around the market waiting to strike against unsuspecting customers as well as stealing from the trader’s stalls.
They added that they used to endure the hot sun during dry seasons and cold and mad during the rainy season.
Today, many traders who have been here since early1980s, say they are enjoying the fruits of devolution that was conceived through the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution.
By Kiptanui Cherono
