The Ultra-modern Uhuru market, in Narok town, being built under the Economic Stimulus Program (ESP) at a cost of Sh358 million is 44 percent complete.
The market is expected to be completed next year 2026 and will accommodate over 800 traders, who have all along been doing business in open places.
Speaking when she toured the market for inspection, Principal Administrative Secretary in the office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary Ms. Juliana Yiapan expressed confidence that the market will be completed within the stipulated deadline.
“We are impressed with the progress so far. The contractor is ahead of schedule and this gives us hope that he will complete his work within the timelines,” said Ms. Yiapan.
She was accompanied by senior officers from the OPCS among them the Secretary Strategy Dominic Magotsi, legal advisor Daniel Ameyo and senior officers from the Delivery Unit.
The market is one of the megaprojects that the government is implementing in Narok and is expected to be a game changer to Narok residents who have for years longed to have such a modern facility.
Seven (7) other markets in different parts of the county are being built at a cost of Sh1.3 billion.
Other areas where the markets are being built are: Ololulunga, Ntulele, Suswa, Emurua Dikir, Mambo Leo, Ewaso Nyiro and Olchoro.
Narok Town Assistant County Commissioner (ACC) Ali Shakur, who accompanied the team said the vegetable vendors and other traders who have been doing business beside the road will have a safer place to do their business.
“Those selling vegetables beside the road risk their lives and suffer harsh weather conditions. The presence of the new modern market will create a better environment for their business,” he said.
The ultra-modern markets come with extra benefits like: attracting financial institutions like M-Pesa shops, banks and insurance firms. This will create more job opportunities and boost the livelihood of the people.
Shakur observed that the vision of the current administration is to create job opportunities for the many jobless young people in the country saying hundreds of youths had been contracted to work in the construction sites.
When the markets are complete, they will contain modern cold storage facilities, modern washrooms, breastfeeding rooms for mothers and will have internet connectivity. The facilities are built with disability-access walkways.
Margeret Wanjiru, a trader at Muthurwa market said the completion of the market will be a big gain to them as it will offer a comfortable environment to do business and security for their commodities.
She asked the government to prioritize the traders at the market first when allocating the stalls before allocating to other members of the public.
By Ann Salaton
