Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has announced that construction of the KSh56 million Kanyoni Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) Market in Gatundu North, Kiambu County, is 80 per cent complete as the government expands investment in modern trading facilities for small-scale traders.
Kindiki made the announcement on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, during an inspection of the project in Kanyoni, saying the market is among 31 fresh produce markets being constructed in Kiambu County and 500 planned across the country.
The facilities are part of the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which prioritises support for small businesses and traders through improved access to modern infrastructure and commercial spaces.
According to Kindiki, the markets will feature cold storage facilities, meeting halls, restaurants, washrooms, rooms for breastfeeding mothers, children’s play areas and information and communication technology hubs intended to support e-commerce and digital employment.
The cold storage facilities are expected to help traders handle perishable produce, while the ICT hubs could create opportunities for businesses to adopt digital tools and reach wider markets.
Kindiki also said Kamwangi and Gatukuyu markets in Gatundu North were nearing completion. He put the cost of the Kamwangi market at KSh387 million and that of Gatukuyu at KSh56 million.
The projects are intended to provide small-scale traders with more organised spaces for conducting business while improving the infrastructure available for handling and selling fresh produce.
Kindiki inspected the Kanyoni works alongside Gatundu North MP Njoroge Kururia, Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a and other local leaders.
The progress of the market projects will be measured not only by their completion but also by whether traders can access the facilities, afford the available spaces and benefit from improved trading conditions. Their long-term contribution to local economic activity will depend on effective management and sustained use once the markets become operational.
