Traders and farmers in Nakuru County are set to benefit significantly from the Market Infrastructure Programme, a national initiative aimed at growing and dignifying small-scale businesses across the country. The announcement was made on Thursday by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki during a visit to Dundori in Bahati Constituency.
The Deputy President revealed that 400 modern markets are currently at various stages of completion in all 47 counties, with 19 located in Nakuru County alone. Construction of two additional markets in the county is scheduled to begin later this year to cater to the growing number of traders, including small-scale vendors popularly known as Mama Mboga.
In Bahati Constituency specifically, the government is constructing three key markets—Kabatini, Bahati, and Dundori—designed to offer dignified and modern trading environments. These markets will feature expanded stalls, cold storage facilities, rooms for lactating mothers, and other essential amenities to ensure traders can operate in safety and comfort.
To empower the youth, each market will include a fully equipped ICT hub to facilitate access to digital jobs under the Kazi Mtandaoni program, which seeks to harness technology for employment creation.
The Deputy President also inspected ongoing construction works at the Dundori ESP Market, being built at a cost of KSh 51 million, and confirmed that the project is on track for completion by June 2025.
In addition, the government pledged to resolve all outstanding land ownership grievances in Dundori and across Bahati Constituency, with a commitment to issue title deeds to affected residents.
On environmental conservation, Kindiki assured residents of regulated access to Dundori Forest for sustainable farming and tree planting, noting that community involvement in conservation would be encouraged without compromising the forest’s delicate ecosystem.
The event was attended by Nakuru County Deputy Governor David Kones, Bahati MP Irene Njoki, Nakuru County Woman Representative Liza Chelule, local MCAs, grassroots leaders, and hundreds of residents from the constituency.The move is part of the government’s broader agenda to strengthen grassroots economies, boost agriculture, and improve livelihoods through infrastructure development and inclusive economic participation.
