Principal Secretaries under the National Development Implementation and Technical Committee (NDITC) have committed to continue shopping in the local markets in a move to boost the small scale traders.
The PSs on Thursday shopped at the refurbished City Park Market in Nairobi where they called on other Kenyans to shop at the local markets and support the buy Kenya build Kenya initiative.
Housing and Urban Planning PS Charles Hinga, said that in the spirit of Easter, they have decided to come and offer their support to the very hardworking traders and uplift their businesses.
The PS explained that they had two activities that is shopping for their families as well as shopping for victims of the recent fires in Korogocho and Kangemi.
“Majority of us do shop in these places and what is important is the dignity which we are providing to our traders because they make a living here. With the government improving the amenities here, the traders can have customers who would have otherwise chosen to go to the malls,” said Hinga.
He said that in President Uhuru Kenyatta’s second term, they have so far done 56 markets and the 57th one they broke the ground two weeks ago in Mathare North.
“Where we are shopping today at City Park market, it has a history where it was burnt down in 2014 and the national government stepped in and finished the incomplete market structure and constructed ablution blocks,” explained the PS.
“One of the indignities of working in some of these markets is lack of sanitary facilities that is why we put up the ablution blocks and improved the drainage,” said Hinga.
Hinga said that all the PSs, even the ones not present, have already shopped at the market and they have spent over Sh1 million in their purchases.
State Department for Public Service, PS Mary Kimionye, said that she is an old shopper at the market and has experienced the mud that was there before the new cabro paved parking was constructed.
“I am very happy about the new market which has made it easy and enjoyable to shop and this will definitely attract more customers and increase the traders income,” said Kimonye.
Other PSs present were Enosh Onyango Momanyi-Physical planning, Harry Kimtai-State Department for Livestock, Ali Ismail- State Department for Cooperatives, Simon Nabukwesi-University Education And Research, Solomon Kitungu- Public Works, Josephta Omukobe- Culture And Heritage, Kevit Desai- East African Community (EAC), Gordon Kihalangwa- Energy, Macharia Kamau- Foreign Affairs, Joe Okudo- Sports, Nancy Karigithu-Shipping And Maritime Affairs, Ruth Kagia-President’s Office and Wanyama Musiambo- Deputy Head Of Public Service.
Sarah Nduta, a trader at the City Park Market, said that they are happy to have a new and better market adding that the visit by the PSs is a big boost for them since it will act as a marketing strategy. People would want to see and shop where the senior government officials have been.
Nduta said that the refurbished market has a bigger capacity and can accommodate more traders which is good since it makes it a one stop shop.
By Joseph Ng’ang’a
