The construction of the multimillion Nyakoe modern market is nearing completion in a project aimed at sheltering thousands of small scale traders in Kitutu Chache region.
Already phase one of the project to a tune of Ksh. 107 million has been completed including two sheds, civil works, street lighting and car park.
The market is the second to be funded by the National Government in the county after the Daraja Mbili market which has already been commissioned and opened to traders.
Speaking during an inspection tour of the project, Kisii County Governor James Ongwae said that the market is a remarkable milestone situated at the old Nyakoe open air market.
“We have done one big shed with several worktops and stalls, a borehole and an elevated 40,000 liter water tank, a septic tank, an ablution block, a chain link fence with four gates, street lighting around the market, a power house among other works that have been completed,” said Ongwae.
Ongwae was accompanied by officials from the Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) which is the implementing agency, led by Chairman Calvince Owidi and CEO Dr.Raymond Omolo, Kitutu Chache Member of Parliament Richard Onyonka among other officers.
The governor noted that traders in the area have been grappling with the vagaries of the weather while undertaking their business and the shelters will be a big relief. “Improvement on the market infrastructure is set to alleviate the challenges farmers face in handling their produce in terms of storage and preservation given the perishable nature of green produce,” said the governor.
The LBDA chairman thanked the Governor, the MP and area Members of the County Assemblies (MCAs) for working together to realize the project.
“We will are ready to implement the second phase of the project. In all the 18 counties we have worked with, Kisii has been the best. We have enjoyed a close working relation with the county which has led to actualization of the project,” said Owidi.
The Governor thanked the National Government through the Ministry of East Africa Community and Regional Development for empowering LBDA to undertake the planning and implementation of the Nyakoe market project whose first phase is nearing completion.
Ongwae said that the project is as a result of a promise President Uhuru Kenyatta made to the people of Nyakoe when he visited the area in 2017 where he said that the government would develop a modern market in the area.
Owidi thanked the Governor, the MP and area Members of the County Assemblies (MCAs) for working together to realize the project.
“We will are ready to implement the second phase of the project. In all the 18 counties we have worked with, Kisii has been the best. We have enjoyed a close working relation with the county which has led to actualization of the project.
The project encompasses the actual construction of an ultra-modern public market facility with trading stalls, water and sanitation facilities, drainage canals, a ring road, administrative offices, access pavement, waste management facilities and boundary walls.
“The Nyakoe market project will also include protection of the Kiogo River wetland area and the nearby spring which is part of our on-going County efforts in reclaiming wetlands and riparian areas to conserve the environment,” said the governor.
The county Government is facilitating the development and procurement process in conjunction with LBDA to ensure that this project is successful.
The Governor reiterated that they will continue to render all the necessary support to LBDA as the implementing agency given that this project will ultimately enhance the President’s Big 4 Agenda for Kenya with regards to Food Security besides overseeing the economic empowerment of local populations as envisaged in the Millennium Development Goals.
The Kitutu Chache MP hailed the county government for facilitating the construction of the market in record time saying that funds for the second phase of the project have been set aside. Onyonka said that through the parliamentary committee of budget in which he sits, another Ksh. 160 million will be disbursed for the project this financial year.