Oyugis modern market has opened its doors to traders and buyers to conduct their business activities.
The market that has been under construction for the last six years started hosting some of the 1,319 traders on Monday.
Charles Hinga Principal Secretary for Housing and Urban Development while in an inspection tour of the market last year had promised that the traders would occupy the Oyugis market by December 2021.
The PS told traders that the Oyugis market and bus park project build at a cost of Sh 335 million by the national government was complete and promised them a transparent and fair process of allocating the market space.
The traders started occupying their spaces in the market that comprises 769 sheds, 380 stalls and four restaurants immediately one received the allotment letter.
The allotment letters were issued to the traders after a long and grueling vetting process that culminated in balloting to ensure fairness before the award of the letters.
David Kiprop Rachuonyo South Deputy County Commissioners said the traders should start conducting business in new market immediately they receive the letters of allotment and handing in an acceptance letter as provided for by the County government of Homa Bay.
“All traders that secured opportunity to operate in the new market to do so immediately to decongest the Oyugis- Kisumu highway where most business were operating,” he said.
The DCC said the government will provide round the clock security in the market to ensure people conduct their business in a peaceful and secure environment for fast economic progress.
The market which serves people from the whole of south Nyanza counties and as far as Kisumu County will be a game changer in the prospect of the Oyugis town and Homa Bay County at large.
Also present during the Stall allocation was Kasipul Sub County Administrator Alice Odhiambo and the Homa Bay County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Land and Urban Development Roseline Odhiambo.
The county minister asked the traders to occupy their spaces in the market peacefully and if there are issues they will like to be addressed the County Government will settle all the issues diligently.
By Moseti Julius and Rehema Nyaboke
