Residents of Karatina, Mathira Constituency in Nyeri County have lauded President Dr William Ruto for his commitment to the bottom up economic model following the completion of the Karatina Marigiti ESP market.
The residents led by their Chairman Nelson Githinji said the market will provide a decent place for traders to do their business away from the rain and scorching sun adding that it’s a game changer in as far as modernizing the hustle of middle income traders.
The market which has a capacity to accommodate over 300 traders comes with a social hall, an ICT center and Children’s play area as well as a special place for breast feeding mothers.
“I am here in Mathira to pay my debt. I am delighted that this ESP market is now complete and ready for occupation. This market will not only serve Farmers and traders from Karatina, it is a major asset for the neighbours in Kirinyaga and Murang’a Counties,” President Ruto said.
The Market will facilitate longer trading hours, storage and preservation facilities for fresh produce as well as other wares.
At the same time the President laid the foundation stone for the Karatina Affordable Housing project, a massive development comprising five residential blocks with a total of 680 housing units.
Once complete, the Estate will comprise 30 One-Room Units; 80 Two-Room Units; 40 Three- Room Units; 90 Studio Units; 190 Two-Bedroom units and 70 Three-Bedroom units under the Affordable housing typology, 90 Two-Bedroom Market Units and 90 Three-Bedroom Market Units.
Social amenities include well designed parking facilities, green landscaped spaces, paved walkways, sanitary waste treatment sites, an underground water tank, and a secure boundary wall.
The project has created over 700 jobs for the locals both directly and indirectly while the local Jua Kali associations will be onboarded to supply doors and windows.
The Affordable Housing Programme is a flagship government initiative aimed at delivering decent, dignified housing while driving job creation and local industrial growth.
Beyond shelter, the programme stimulates demand for building materials and services across the value chain.