Residents of Gathoge town are elated with the operationalization of a new
market built by the County Government of Kirinyaga.
Gathoge market which is the latest among 20 aggregation centers built by
Governor Anne Waiguru became operational on Thursday after more than
300 traders were allocated spaces to display their goods.
Farmers in the region will now have a central place to aggregate and sell
their produce be it avocados, tomatoes and cabbages.
Governor Waiguru says that the market will accommodate traders who
have been selling by the roadside.
Gathoge market has modern social amenities such as toilets, car parks,
adequate water supply, proper storm water drainage as well as adequate
lighting system that will lead to extension of transaction hours.
The center is also well fenced therefore traders can rest easy knowing that
their goods are secure overnight.
The governor says the new markets are meant to help farmers address
post-harvest losses and add value to their produce.
We are in the process of constructing four additional aggregation centers
for our farmers in Kibirigwi, Riakiania, Kimbimbi and Togonye, the later two
being for tomato farmers. We are committed to implementing high impact
projects that will in the long run touch every household in the county”, said
the second time governor who is also the Chairperson of the Council of
Governors.
County Executive Committee Member (CECM) cooperative development,
trade, marketing, tourism, industrialization and enterprise development
Calbert Njeru said allocation of the selling spaces was conducted through
balloting to enhance transparency and ensure traders are satisfied.
Njeru said the market will provide farmers with a central place bring all their
produce for sale, thus allowing traders and buyers to have a common
meeting point.
“Secondly, having multiple traders converge and set up businesses in one
place will also make revenue collection easier as collection of taxes will be
done at a central point,” he added.
The CECM asked the traders who were lucky to get stalls to build small
structures that would hold their goods in place for sale.
“We have commenced operations at this new market, we are doing a test
run so that the county government can see how to improve the project and
other projects over time,” he added.
He said that the county government will continue supporting farmers to
upscale farming as well as providing a favourable marketing environment.
On their part, traders noted that they faced many challenges selling their
wares which included being rained on and dirty environment, lack of toilets
and clean water which are essentials for a conducive environment for
business.
“We are happy that final this promise by our Governor Anne Waiguru to
build us a market has been fulfilled, as traders we cannot complain,” said
Eunice Wambui, one of the traders at the market.
Njukiini Member of the County Assembly (MCA) Timothy Kariuki said the
market offers a big relief to traders who have no central place to sell their
goods.
Apart from offering farmers a place to aggregate their produce, the
market will also boost revenue collection for the county as it will bring in
traders from far and wide.
Besides the Gathoge market, other markets constructed by governor
Waiguru’s administration includes; Makutano fresh produce market,
Wang’uru, Kagio Cereals market, Kagio Clothes market, Kutus, Makutano
exclusive tomato market, Kagumo, Kianyaga, Kiamutugu, Kerugoya,
Sagana, Kibingoti, Karumandi, Githure and Kerugoya Hospital Fruits
Market Sheds.
