The Government has ramped up efforts to empower small-scale traders through the construction of modern, well-equipped markets across the country, with a strong focus on Kiambu County. Two of these markets, located in Kabete Constituency, are nearing completion, offering a glimpse into a future of improved trading environments and economic upliftment.
The initiative, which aligns with President William Ruto’s directive issued during a tour of Kiambu last year, aims to construct seven modern markets in the agriculturally rich county. The move is designed to provide traders with safe, organized, and conducive spaces to operate, while also driving local economic growth and enhancing livelihoods.
In Githunguri, construction is already underway, while plans for the Wangige Market in Kabete Constituency are at an advanced stage. Kabete MP James Wamacukuru affirmed that Wangige Market is one of several facilities the National Government is rolling out in the constituency to empower local traders and boost economic activity.
During a recent engagement, MP Wamacukuru, representatives of traders, and officials from the State Department for Housing and Urban Development held deliberations on the market’s design, where the preference for an open-air layout was strongly expressed by the community.
Joseph Kagicha, Nairobi Metropolitan Regional Lead at the State Department, emphasized that the modern markets will not only uplift traders but also create employment opportunities, particularly for the youth involved in construction and future market operations.
“These markets will come complete with social amenities such as cold rooms, meeting halls, ICT centres, and ablution blocks, making them more than just trading hubs—they’ll be centres of community development,” said Kagicha.
The government’s nationwide modern market programme is expected to transform the informal trading landscape, giving traders dignity, safety, and stability in their businesses.
