A new Ksh1 billion Ultramodern Chaka market along the Nyeri- Naromoru Highway is set to be complete in two weeks, housing over 1000 traders.
Chaka market is being opened under a trio phase and will include matatu terminus, open-air markets, and a value addition block. The first phase which has a twin wholesalers’ block, retail block, and lockable kiosks was completed in 2016.
The third phase that will occupy 28 acres will have a cooling plant, Huduma Centre, police post, and modern playground.
According to Nyeri Trade and Co-operative Executive Diana Kendo, traders have to submit applications to get space allocation in the market. It will be restricted to traders verified by the county government.
"After the contractor is done, we will only take a week to assess and produce a final list for the sellers set to be allocated market stalls," stated Kendi.
Currently, the traders are operating in the open-air market by the roadside under the harsh weather to give room for construction.
“It is a tough calling. We are exposed to motorists and the train recently made a comeback, using the railway near our market and therefore safety is not a guarantee although we were moved a little further away from the line,” said Faith Wanjiru who has been a vegetable and cereal vendor in the area for seven years.
The Principal Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Joseph Irungu who toured the area on February 25 to inspect the project gave the contractors two weeks to finish the second phase.
“The traders currently relying on the open-air market along the road will have access to the market by the end of March,” he said.
Matatu and Bus operators will also cash in from the one and a half acre modern bus parking lot.
Kieni MP Kanini Kega stated that the market will be revamped into an industrial hub as part of the third phase to make it a special economic zone in order for its processed goods to fall under international law.
