By Agnetta Okwemba
Maungu residents in Taita Taveta county are set to benefit from the national government Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) of modern market construction.
The market whose construction commenced in March this year will benefit about 200 traders.
Sitting approximately on 1 acre of land, the modern market is located a few meters away from the Mombasa Road making it accessible for traders and suppliers.
The president William Rutos administration during its campaigns pledged to support traders to develop the country’s economy with delivery of markets across the country being seen as a fulfillment of the promises made.
Maungu market poses challenges for traders to maximize on their potential with inadequate shade being a challenge that the modern market is looking to solve through its 200 units among other amenities.
John Karanja, the Coast and Northern regional director of the Affordable Housing Program and Markets said that the market, which is currently doing the first floor casting, is to ensure traders are comfortable in their line of work.
Speaking to Coast Times Digital during a site visit in the company of Taita Taveta’s County Commissioner Karanja who led the Project Monitoring Programme for County Implementation and Coordination Management Committee made a site visit to make a follow-up on the government’s projects.
“We want to make sure vandalism does not take place in our project sites. Safety is prioritized,” said Josephine Onunga, Taita Taveta’s county commissioner.
Upon its completion by the end of November, 2024, the project will have a fully-fledged modern market comprising an ICT hub, a lactation room for nursing mothers, a play area for their children and an efficient storage facility having both a cold room and a dry store.
