Market
Kang’angi Market stands as the largest and most significant market in Kiambu County by providing a wide variety of products and services to residents.
Speaking to KNA George Mwenja, the chairperson at Kangangi market hailed it to be the leading market in Kiambu, with over 2,700 traders who sell variety of farm produce. In a well-oiled supply chain, traders at the market source products directly from farmers in nearby regions, including Githunguri, Githiga and Gatundu.
According to Mwenja, the market is a sprawling hub of commerce organised into three distinct sectors A, B and C. Each sector, he explained, is responsible for its own security, as the market operates around the clock. Traders pool resources to fund security personnel during the night, and the county government also deploys police officers to bolster safety rendering the market to boast an unenviable record given there are no incidents of theft reported.
Grace Njau, a trader at the market selling fresh produce said, “We collect fresh produce each morning, ensuring a consistent supply of fresh food in our business and this has helped us in providing consumers what they require”. She explained that retailers flock Kangangi to buy products, as vendors offer competitive wholesale prices, making it an appealing marketplace for bulk purchases. She also mentioned that traders at the Kangangi market operate independently, allowing them to set prices directly for consumers.
Carrots displayed for sale at Kiambu market.
Another trader who requested anonymity told KNA that the main challenge in Kangangi Market is water. “Vendors are facing significant challenges due to inadequate water supply, which hampers their ability to properly clean their fruits and vegetables,” he said.
The traders asked the Kiambu County government to act and install sufficient water resources in the market to address this pressing issue. Samuel Mwangi, a vendor in the market said what is synonymous with the Kangangi market is that it is located along the busy Kiambu road and the surrounding area is well developed by commercial centres and residential estates making it a hotspot for potential buyers.
One consumer, Julie Gatheru agreed, saying that the biggest appeal of the market lies in its fresh produce and affordable prices and this draws in a steady stream of customers seeking quality supplies. During the visit, some traders were however worried that they might not have anywhere to sell their produce once the County government starts the work of refurbishing the market as promised by the Governor.
The committee members have expressed their excitement following Governor Wamatangi’s commitment to enhance infrastructure in the market and also expressed gratitude to the governor for offsetting their electricity bills and alleviating the financial burden for vendors but are they requested that they be given an alternative.