Relief to Busia Cereal business ventures as Ksh 38 million market constructed by Trademark East Africa (TMEA) is inspected in readiness for use in two weeks’ time by cross-border traders.

The first modern cereal market is set to house over 160 traders both from Busia Kenya and Uganda and is 99% complete according to the report by the committee comprising of TMEA, office of County Commissioner Busia led by ACC Adano Duba, Cross border traders and CEC Trade Investment and cooperation  Omuse Olekachuna.

“This is the first modern cereal market with the best facilities that will give a new look to the town of Busia. The market is dear and a big relief to traders who have been doing their business on the roads in the scorching sun,” noted CEC trader Olekachuna.

The market will be launched at a time when traders had lost their structure as a result of the ongoing demolition of structures constructed along road reserves in efforts to reorganize the town.

Simon Konzolo the project manager at Trade Mark East Africa-Kenya who has been overseeing the construction of the market applauded the traders for their patience noting that over 300 traders who were displaced will be given first priority in the allocation of sales at the market.

“The process of allocation of stales will be free and fair with priority being given to displaced traders who paved the way for the construction of this market,” noted Konzolo.

This is the first phase of the project even as traders seek the county government of Busia to engage other partners to mark Busia as a business hub in Africa.

The Chair Lady, Cross Border Women Traders Florence Akinyi said the beneficiaries are the people who were displaced from the Kasarani market.

"Over 300 traders were displaced but half will be accommodated now in phase 1, we challenge the county government to expand on the project even as we wait for TMEA additional projects in phase 2," she emphasized.

This comes after the Ministry of Agriculture, has embarked on massive registration of farmers to increase the production of cereals in Busia to boost the country’s food and animal feed security.

Prices for cereals have soared high in the country in recent days. Some of the products whose cost has gone up include maize, groundnuts, green grams, and rice.

While 100kg of groundnuts was retailing at Ksh 15,500 in November last year, it now costs Ksh 20,000.

Likewise, a 2kg tin of green grams at Soko Matope market goes for Ksh 350 up from Ksh 250 in January 2022. A 2kg tin of beans has shot from Ksh 200 to Ksh 400 in the same period.

The market has child feeding rooms, modern solar for security, a hotel, parking and nearby daycare for young mothers.