The County government of Kisumu has completed reconstruction of the Sh. 315 million phase one of Kibuye market.
Over 2000 traders are set to be allocated space at the modern market at the end of this month as plans to embark on phase two of the project kicks off.
Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang Nyong’o said phase two of the project will cost Sh. 185 million and will take in an additional 1500 traders.
Speaking during the ground breaking ceremony for the project on Wednesday, Nyong’o said the modern business complex will provide a dignified facility for the traders, complete with socio-economic amenities and good infrastructure.
Once completed, Kibuye, which is the largest open air market in East and Central Africa, he said will also comprise four ablution blocks, parking for shoppers, a loading and unloading bay, a proper drainage system, storage tanks, walkways, street lights, floodlights and perimeter wall.
Other amenities to be set up, he said, include a breastfeeding center for lactating mothers, a nursery school and a bank.
“The market will operate on a 24-hour basis. Upon completion, blacksmiths, second-hand clothes sellers, foodstuff sellers, and the furniture sector will be settled back,” he said.
Besides Kibuye, he said the county government has built the Uhuru Business Park with support from the National Government where traders who were displaced to pave way for the upgrading of Kisumu Port and beautification of the city shall be resettled.
An additional 749 stalls, he said have been issued to traders at Chichwa market adding that the county government was working on modalities to support traders who are unable to stock them.
“The County Government is committed to supporting the Micro and Small Enterprises and has prioritized market development in its emergency development plans to house the informal traders,” he said.
The county government, he added, has established a Business Innovation and Incubation Centre at the Rotary Training College to stimulate business start-ups.
By Chris Mahandara