This archive report was first published on 23 May 2020.
On May 23, 2020, Kenya News Agency reported that the construction of an ultra-modern market at Kangari trading centre in Murang'a was expected to start in two weeks' time.
The six-storey building was designed to support the packaging of vegetables and horticulture produce for export.
According to Kigumo MP Ruth Mwaniki, the groundbreaking of the market was scheduled for early June, and the project was expected to be completed within a year.
The market was promised by President Uhuru Kenyatta to benefit vegetable and horticulture farmers in Kigumo and neighbouring regions.
Speaking at Kigumo market, Mwaniki observed that the market would boost the export of vegetables from the area.
“The market will be linked to Naivasha dry port by the Mau Mau road, which is under construction. The 500-kilometre road will link counties east of Abadare forest with the Rift Valley,” she added.
“The market's first phase will be completed at a cost of Sh210 million, which the National government has already released. The local CDF will also chip in some funds towards the realization of the ultra-modern market,” she said.
The market was constructed as an appreciation of the late Kigumo MP Kariuki wa Njiiri, who stepped aside for the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta to venture into leadership towards the end of colonial rule.
Mwaniki lauded the government for the Mau Mau road, which was aimed at linking four counties: Nyeri, Murang'a, Kiambu, and Nyandarua.
The Sh30 billion road was expected to spur economic growth and boost trading activities between Mount Kenya and Rift Valley regions.
She further said that tea farming in the region would benefit a lot from the road, as tea auctioning could be done at Naivasha dry port.
According to the design, the market would have a packaging bay and cold stores to assist traders in preserving farm produce before export.
Meanwhile, the legislator challenged locals to plant more trees during the rainy season, saying that the Ndakaini dam, which was a major supplier of water to Nairobi and its environs, depended on rivers that flowed from Kigumo.
“Today, we are also giving out avocado seedlings to farmers as we encourage them to take advantage of the rains and plant as many trees as possible,” noted Mwaniki.
