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Traders in Suswa and Ntulele have a new reason to smile following the official handover of two modern markets by the national government, bringing long-awaited relief to small-scale vendors who have for years operated in harsh conditions.
Until now, Suswa and Ntulele’s open-air markets have painted a grim picture cramped spaces, exposed stalls, and lack of basic amenities, especially on busy market days.
However, just adjacent the open-air market, now stands the newly completed Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) markets, constructed by the State Department for Housing and Urban Development, promise to transform the face of trading in the region.
The two markets were handed over to the County Government of Narok this week after completion to pave way the allocation of spaces to the traders.
The magnificent Suswa ESP market offers traders relief and hope for a better future as they prepare to leave behind the shacks they have for so long gotten used to. The same is replicated in Ntulele, where the imposing one storey building located on the Mai Mahiu-Kamandura- Narok road stands out.
Bernard Mbugua who operates his shoe business in Suswa said the new market is transformative and will provide traders with a clean yet nice place to do their businesses even as he called for a fair allocation spaces.
“This is transformative,” said Bernard Mbugua, a shoe vendor in Suswa. “We finally have a clean, secure place to do our business. We just hope that space allocation will be fair to everyone.”
Similarly, another trader, Rose Kisutu implored on the government to build another market on the remaining piece of land saying markets days attract huge numbers of traders.
On her part, Charity Senu, a trader said the contrast between the open air market and the new market is not just a joy for the traders but a milestone for the community in Suswa and Ntulele saying it empowers women in business.
She voiced her support for the Government saying they are grateful that their taxes are now being put into good use.
“The difference between the open-air market and the new facility is incredible. It empowers us and shows that our taxes are being used for our benefit,” she said.
The traders in Ntulele said they are looking forward to move into the new market saying the transition is beyond what they expected and will now improve their productiveness.
The Government has embarked on the construction of 400 markets across the Country to boost economic recovery and empower traders.
Already, 201 Economic Stimulus Markets and 29 modern markets are at various stages of construction and once complete will host up to 300 and over 3000 traders respectively. These markets come with other amenities such as a cold room, an Ablution Block an ICT Hub, a Lactation Room/Creche Day Care as well as accompanying facilities such as Water, electricity etc.
The Construction has also created employment for the youth who are sourced locally both for the skilled and unskilled labour. The Government has also engaged local artisans with an estimated Ksh 3.88M ringfenced for them.
