Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has called on traders in Gikomba, Nairobi, to remain patient as the government constructs a modern market for them, warning against political interference from leaders he described as clueless and opportunistic.
Speaking on Thursday while inspecting ongoing government projects in Kirinyaga County, Kindiki emphasised that the new Gikomba market, set to accommodate the 6,300 registered traders, will be completed in just a few months.
“We are requesting the 6,300 traders of Gikomba market to give us a few months to build a modern market for them, and their years of suffering, including persistent fires, will be a thing of the past,” he said.
The Deputy President accused opposition politicians of attempting to score “cheap political points” by inciting traders to reject the government’s plan, without offering viable solutions to the perennial risks they face in the current market.
“There are those political opportunists inciting our people to stay in unsafe and risky places prone to floods and fires. We are urging our traders to be a bit patient and understanding, and allow the Government to construct a decent, modern first world status market,” Kindiki noted.
The call for patience comes amid an ambitious development agenda being rolled out nationwide. In Kirinyaga County alone, 510 kilometres of roads are under construction at a cost of Sh29 billion, including 100 kilometres of tarmac roads in Gichugu Constituency.
The county has also received Sh440 million to connect 7,500 additional households to electricity.
Phase one of the affordable housing project in Mbaragwe, comprising 110 units built at a cost of Sh270 million, has been completed, while phase two—set to include nearly 500 units—will cost Sh1.2 billion.
In addition, 580 hostel rooms are under construction at Gichugu TVET at a cost of Sh192 million.
“In Kirinyaga County, we have allocated 15 billion shillings for modern markets, roads, affordable housing, and hostels,” the DP said, highlighting the county’s share of the government’s development agenda.
During the tour, the DP also called for political civility, urging leaders to respect one another and the electorate regardless of affiliations.
“Stop looking down and insulting leaders, especially our women leaders who were elected by the people. You have no power to decide who should lead or not; that power lies with the people,” he said.
The Deputy President’s visit included inspections of the Mukarara Modern Market and the Riakithiga-Ngungu-Kiang’ombe Road in Gichugu Constituency, accompanied by Kirinyaga Deputy Governor David Githanda, MPs Gichimu Githinji (Gichugu) and Mary Maingi (Mwea), the PS for Public Health Mary Muthoni, as well as local MCAs and community leaders.
The government’s intervention in Gikomba is part of a broader plan to modernize markets, enhance safety and boost infrastructure nationwide.
Traders and residents are being asked to cooperate as construction progresses, with the promise that the new facility will provide a safe, modern environment for commerce, reducing exposure to floods, fires and overcrowding.