Counties

Sh70m Kilgoris market idle a month after Uhuru launch

kilgoris

Narok governor Samuel Tunai. PHOTO | WILLIAM OERI | NMG

A Sh70 million market built by the Narok County government in Kilgoris town has been lying idle a month after it was opened.

The market, which was opened by President Uhuru Kenyatta on  April 7, has been unused with traders accusing the county government of failing to complete its construction.

“When the President cut the tape to officially open the market, we thought it would shelter some of us who operate in the open air, but unfortunately it is still unfinished,” said Charles Kang’ethe, Kilgoris Town Development Association chairman.

He said traders still operate in an unsafe environment which is further compounded by heaps of uncollected garbage.

Addressing residents of Kilgoris, Mr Kenyatta had said the market would provide a cleaner and safer environment for conducting business.

The President, who was accompanied by his deputy, William Ruto, and governor Samuel Tunai, also said he initiated the project himself as Finance minister as part of the Economic Stimulus Programme of 2009.

“We will return in a month’s time to launch roads and erect street lights in the town so as to transform the market into a 24-hour economy,” said Mr Kenyatta. Last Friday, Kilgoris MP Gideon Konchella admitted that the market was launched prematurely. He said more shops still need to be built within the market to accommodate more traders.

“The numbers of shops built so far are few compared to the number of available users. We are, therefore, planning to put up more stalls so that more traders can benefit,” he said.