Traders operating within Ngong stadium open air market are set to relocate to the new ultra-modern Sh800 million market in the next one week.
In a notice the department of Trade, gave the traders until 24th of this month to relocate to the new site located at Ngong town near the bus terminus.
The traders were moved to an open field near Ngong stadium in 2019 to pave way for the construction of the modern market.
More than 1600 traders have been allocated stalls at the new four-storey building which has been designed to hold various businesses on different floors. The ground floor will accommodate grocery traders, the first floor is to hold traders dealing in household supplies and accessories, the second is for second-hand clothes traders and the third floor is to have hotels, saloons and entertainment shops.
Ngong Market traders’ committee chairman John Seuri told KNA that plans were underway to facilitate a smooth transition to the newly constructed market.
Seuri expressed confidence in the modern market’s ability to revamp the economy of Ngong town and the county at large adding that the stalls are to be occupied only by those traders who had been registered by the World Bank through the Nairobi Metropolitan Services Improvement Project (NaMSIP).
He noted that no trader was asked to pay for the stalls and those who tried to solicit money from traders promising more stalls had been reported to the relevant authorities and action taken against them. “For those who had not registered early to be allocated stalls, World Bank and NaMSIP have a plan to register them on a date to be communicated later,” said Seuri.
Moses Maina, a grocery trader, said many traders at the current market were operating at a loss and the relocation to the newly constructed market might help them boost their businesses. Maina noted that the current site is far from town and inaccessible during rainy seasons thus customers preferred to buy from hawkers in town.
“The roads leading to the market are impassable when it rains and hence discourage our customers to come all the way from the town to buy produce. In addition, the proximity from the town is quite an issue,” he insisted.
Isaac Njenga, who deals majorly in plastic utensils and accessories also told KNA that business has not been good ever since the relocation and hoped the modern market will offer a fresh start for their businesses.
Another trader, Sophia Kiako said she was really happy about the plans to relocate to the new market which is complete with ultra-modern facilities as traders would be able to work for longer hours.
Customers also welcomed the move to relocate to the new market which is near town adding the current market place at the Ngong stadium was far.
Anne Sinkeet said the new market is a one-stop shop as different wares would be sold at each floor thus, she would be able to shop for all supplies under one roof.
The four-storey market with modern stalls and offices was funded by the World Bank through the Nairobi Metropolitan Services Improvement Programme (NAMSIP). The facility that sits on a one-acre land is billed as the biggest modern market in East Africa that would propel Ngong town to a 24 hours economy and attract international investors.
By Rop Janet and Munywoki Emmanuel
