Market
Construction of the proposed Sh700 million Embu ultra-modern market is set to commence in earnest one year since the groundbreaking by President Willam Ruto in May last year.
The delay occasioned by logistical challenges led to an outcry from hundreds of traders who were relocated to a temporary site to pave way for the construction.
Speaking while handing over the site to the contractor on Wednesday, CEC for Lands, Housing and Urban Development Raymond Kinyua said the new market consisting of one block with three floors will have the capacity to hold approximately 3, 000 traders.
Artistic impression of the proposed Sh700 million Embu modern market whose construction is set to commence immediately.
The market will also be fitted with elevators for traders, buyers and goods as well as other amenities such as lactation rooms for breastfeeding mothers and day care facilities for young children to allow parents to work according to the DG. He called on the contractor to ensure locals are given employment opportunities especially for the unskilled labor so that they can also earn a living.
“We have asked the contractor to give our unemployed youths first priority as the project gets underway,” he said. James Kiarie, the representative of the contractor, Pinnie Agency Limited, pledged to complete the works within the given timeline and also offer jobs to the locals both skilled and manual.
The market is among six others that are being done across the county aimed at creating a conducive working environment for thousands of traders as well as a ready market for farmers’ produce. The six are those that started in 2007 under the Economic Stimulus Program (ESP) but stalled.