Thika Constituency is set to benefit from Sh280 million government projects in efforts to ease access to services as well as boost trade.
Among the projects are five modern markets each valued at Sh50 million to promote small-scale entrepreneurs (SME) and a Sh30 million police station in Ngoingwa estate to boost security.
The markets are among 27 others that the government is in the process of constructing in Kiambu County, among several other development projects it has initiated to boost its bottom-up economic transformation agenda.
They will be constructed in Thika’s Kiandutu slums, Madaraka market in Makongeni and in Thika East Sub County.
Speaking during the launch of the projects that was attended by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa, Kiambu Senator Karugo Wathang’wa, Woman Representative Wamuratha among other local leaders, Thika MP Alice Ng’ang’a said the Ngoingwa market will be complete in a six months’ time while the others will commence soon.
She said the national government is working closely with elected MPs to actualize the construction of the markets to promote SME and boost trade.
The state-of-the-art storey markets once complete will be given to traders for free, and will have Wi-Fi connectivity, ample parking lots, among other amenities.
As for the police station, the NG/CDF has chipped in with Sh15 million while the Interior Ministry promised to pump in another Sh15 million for the project.
This is after increased cases of insecurity have been reported in the area over the years, with residents calling for a new unit to address the issue.
Residents led by Peter Karanja welcomed the two projects saying they will improve lives as well as address the insecurity incidents that are common in the area.
A month ago, police shot dead two thugs who were caught stealing in a shop in the area. The gangsters had also broken into a local secondary school and made away with laptops.
“The police station will boost security which has been a challenge in this area. Crime has been on the rise in this estate and we hope the station is completed fast,” Karanja said.
By Muoki Charles
