Construction work on the multimillion Daraja Mbili retail market has begun.
On Friday 3rd June 2016, senior officials from the State Department of Transport, Infrastructure and Housing Development handed over the project to the contractor setting off construction work.
The National Government has set aside KShs.204million for the project to be implemented in collaboration with the Kisii County Government. The project will involve construction of two additional floors on the stalled site to house a wholesale market, loading bays, cold rooms, a police post, cyber café, ATM, offices and kiosks.
Director Administration in the housing department Mabeya Mogaka flanked by Architect Lawrence Mwangi and Eng. F.M Ndereba represented the National Government while County Secretary Johnstone Ndege and CEC for Trade and Industry Osoro Kebati represented the County Government.
“We are grateful the project is finally coming to fruition. Daraja Mbili is the second largest open air market in Nyanza after Kibuye in Kisumu. Traders currently experience challenges due to lack of basic facilities which this project will address,” said Mr. Ndege.
Mogaka challenged the contractor to move with speed in the project to ensure traders don’t suffer for long. He said once complete, the National Government will hand over the project to the County Government.
In his Madaraka Day address, Governor James Ongwae announced that he had put in place a taskforce to assess facilities not captured in the main contract for the County to address.
“We expected KShs.600million to fully implement the project and transform the market. This is why we commit to do additional works including more sheds, stone pitching on Rivers Nyakomisaro and Nyanchwa, gravelling the access road and washrooms,” said the Governor.
