Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata has expressed his commitment towards improving major markets across the county in a bid to create a better business environment for traders.
Speaking at Gitugi market in Mathioya where he commissioned several upgraded roads in the market, Governor Kang’ata said that the smart city programme continues to upgrade major markets in the county as a way of ensuring business people also benefit from Murang’a county government flagship projects.
“We have been implementing the smart city programme where we have upgraded at least three major markets in all constituencies making more businesses accessible,” he said.
He divulged that the smart city initiative was inspired by petitions from traders and people residing in major towns who decried being sidelined by other county flagship projects that mostly targeted farmers.
“The people residing in towns petitioned the county government for this programme that upgrades markets when they realized they do not benefit from programmes targeting farmers such as Inua Mkulima or the distribution of maize seeds and fertilizers,” he said.
Kang’ata noted that many shops were previously inaccessible especially during the rainy season and the traders petitioned the county government to upgrade the markets so that their businesses are easily accessible to their customers.
“This programme that is upgrading urban infrastructure also creates employment by opening up and increasing accessibility to businesses across major towns and making them accessible throughout the year,” he said.
“The programme also provides employment for local youth who are involved in upgrading the roads and in laying the cabros,” he added.
The governor stated that some of the markets upgraded included Kiriani, Kamune and Gitugi in Mathioya constituency, Kirwara, Gatura, and Kaguku markets in Gatanga constituency as well as Muranga Town, Mukuyu and Kahatia in Kiharu constituency.
Hannah Mukami, a resident at Gitugi market, celebrated the smart city initiative confirming that the improved roads allowed them to open their business even during the rainy season.
“The upgraded roads and street lights allow us to conduct business until late and we now do not close our businesses when it rains,” she said.
She noted that many of the market roads that were without streetlights have also been upgraded, making it easier to conduct business even at night.
By Purity Mugo
