Machakos County, in partnership with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and through the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), has constructed cool rooms in Marikiti Market for perishable products.
Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti, during the commissioning of the facility, said the aim of the facility was to preserve vegetables while providing storage facilities for perishable products in order to reduce losses due to waste, hence increasing profits.
Wavinya acknowledged the County’s good working relationship with various development partners had encouraged the development and economic empowerment of Machakos residents.
The Governor said with the National government’s support, 16 modern markets would be constructed in Machakos with the intention of creating more jobs.
Ruth Olowa, GAIN Country Director, said that their aim for supporting cool rooms was because they believe everyone deserves nutritious and safe food while ensuring fresh food markets in Kenya remain operational.
Olowa said the cool rooms played a significant role in ensuring that fresh produce in Kenya did not go to waste before reaching the consumer.
She said the decision to install the cool rooms project in Machakos was informed by one of the vendor’s concerns as well as findings from a consumer market survey at the Marikiti Market.
The survey found out that 57% of vendors were concerned about food safety and business skills, while 44% reported throwing food waste away.
The cool rooms are expected to reduce financial losses by minimising waste while improving hygienic standards in the market.
By Anne Kangero
