A number of markets in the country have undergone facelifts with noticeable upgrades after years of neglect.
Collectively, the projects have been allocated billions of shillings in counties undertaken by the national, county as well as with donor funding.
Here are some of the multi-million markets set up in different parts of the country in a bid to boost the economy of the areas.
Nairobi County Markets
Nairobi county allocated approximately Ksh1.4 billion within the area for five markets. Mwariro Market in Starehe constituency which was constructed at a cost of Ksh389 million and Westlands at Ksh214 million are complete.
The New Karandini Modern Market in Dagoretti North Sub County (Ksh294 Million) which is nearing completion will have ample parking space within the building and is expected to accommodate all the displaced traders, as well as sign in new tenants.
The design of the market consists of one building block with three floors.
The six-storey Gikomba market (Ksh492 million) are 80 % complete once completed will have 324 stalls.
Wakulima market along Kangundo Road has 370 stalls and was built by the African Development Bank under Social Corporate Responsibility to compensate small scale traders who had been displaced during the construction of the Outering-Kangundo road that was being undertaken by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority.
The modern Kangundo Road Market that is situated in Embakasi West sub-county is expected to accommodate over 3,000 traders.
The market is fitted with a modern weighbridge that will make the weighing of goods faster and will end the physical counting of commodities at the market.
Uhuru Business Park Market Complex (Kisumu)
On October 22, President Uhuru Kenyatta inspected the construction of the ultra-modern Uhuru Business Park Market Complex in Kisumu County.
The Ksh 600 million multi-purpose facilities are being implemented by the National Government and will be ready for use by the end of this year.
Kwajiwa Ultra-modern market (Malindi)
The Kwajiwa ultra-modern market was officially opened in September 2019.
The market cost Ksh80 million to build and accommodates more than 300 traders in the county.
It has a drainage system and safety facilities as well as other open spaces that will accommodate a larger number of vendors.
Ngong Ultra-modern Market (Kajiado)
This modern retail market is set to be a five-storey building with a capacity to serve over 2000 traders in Ngong town.
Space is set to provide dignified, safe and secure trading spaces for traders to do their businesses.
NAMSIP Deputy Director Peter Mwaura confessed that the project almost collapsed due to traders' grievances but thanked Governor Joseph Ole Lenku for intervening and whipping the traders in accepting to embrace the projects.
The Ngong Market is one of the three multi-million markets Nairobi Metropolitan Services Improvement Project (NAMSIP) nearing completion to construct in Kajiado County. The others are Ole Kasasi and Kitengela.
Kimumu Bahati Market (Uasin Gishu)
The multi-million project which is currently under construction is meant to serve the vast North Rift Region and will service more than 60 retail markets in the county and those in the neighbouring counties.
The market is strategically placed within agri-business practitioners reach, hence products will get to the market within the shortest time while still fresh.
The market will be fitted with four cold rooms which will help in keeping perishable commodities. This helping in curbing unnecessary losses.
Once complete, an internet portal will be created to enable potential customers to check out the prices of various commodities, make online orders, and settle payments for the desired goods.
The Eldoret International Airport will also play a major role in exporting produces abroad as the market will act as the aggregation point for local producers who will like to export their products.
Kongowea Market - Mombasa
In 2016, President Uhuru Kenyatta opened the Kongowea market during his tour of Mombasa County.
The refurbishment of the new market is estimated to have cost the National Government approximately Sh444 Million.
The president stated the market will be expanded to accommodate more traders.
Mackinnon Market which was opened in 1914 named after the then colonial governor of Kenya, Sir Henry Mackinnon got an upgrade from the county government.
The market got improved access roads, walkways, parking bays, CCTV cameras and proper lighting.
