This archive report was first published on 15 May 2020.
Kenya's economy relies heavily on the transportation of cargo, and the smooth flow of goods is critical to its sustainability. To address the congestion at the Namanga One Stop Border Post, a new market is set to be built in the town of Namanga, Kajiado County.
According to Dr. Kevit Desai, the Principal Secretary of the State Department for East African Community, at least 1,300 trucks pass through the Namanga OSBP daily, along with thousands of travelers crossing the border. This has led to traders needing a strategic place to sell their wares.
“Service delivery around our border areas must be improved to ensure movement of goods continues to flow without interruptions,” Dr. Desai said. “Therefore, we have deemed it wise to look for an alternative land where we will build a modern market for our small-scale traders, especially those that depend on the border traffic.”
The proposed market is expected to provide a safe and organized space for traders to sell their goods, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Desai emphasized the importance of practicing safe trade, saying it is key to the survival of the economy.
“Movement of goods is critical for any nation, and we are not different,” Dr. Desai said. “As a Ministry, we have engaged friendly development partners and requested Personal Protective Gears (PPEs) for our staff to protect them from contracting COVID-19, since this area has been defined as a hot spot area.”
Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku welcomed the move, terming it a major lift for small business enterprises. He noted that the proposed market would be a welcome relief to women who sell their beadwork in the scorching sun at the border town to tourists.
“In the last few years, we have seen a high increase in business activities at the border, especially after the completion of the OSBP,” Governor Lenku said. “Women from remote parts of Kajiado usually come to this shop to sell their beadwork and other items to tourists passing through the border. Therefore, the construction of the new market is highly welcome because they will no longer have to carry their stocks around.”
The Chairman of Cross-border Traders association, John Matina, also lauded the move and appealed to the Ministry to fast-track the process of setting up the market quickly to cushion traders from frequent harassment.
Namanga OSBP was launched on 1st December 2018 by President Uhuru Kenyatta and Tanzanian President John Magufuli, who expressed optimism to small-scale traders that the border post would facilitate them to do business across the border unhindered.
By Rop Janet and Albert Lemomo
