Government unveils Ksh 750M for markets in Nairobi
The government has commenced the construction of two modern markets in Maji Mazuri (Kasarani) and South B (Starehe) at a cost of Ksh 750 million. The markets, set for completion within one year, will host 2,000 traders daily, with capacity increasing to 3,000 on designated market days.
The groundbreaking ceremony at the South B Market site was presided over by Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development, Alice Wahome, who emphasized the government’s commitment to creating secure trading spaces as part of the Kenya Kwanza Manifesto and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
The projects, awarded to M/S Debroso Construction Company Limited and M/S Jyan Construction Service Limited, will cover one acre each and are expected to create 800 jobs during the construction phase. Wahome highlighted that the government is prioritizing local economic empowerment through collaborations with Jua Kali organizations and TVET institutions.
“Provision of secure trading space for over 2,000 traders is a key plank of the Kenya Kwanza Manifesto and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). The State Department has collaborated with the State Department for TVETs, Jua Kali organizations, and other stakeholders to construct market stalls developed by local Jua Kali clusters,” she stated.
Jua Kali artisans will be subcontracted to develop market stalls and will receive both technical and financial support. This initiative aims to strengthen their financial capacity, equipping them with the experience needed to compete for larger contracts in the future.
The Maji Mazuri Market will accommodate 1,000 traders daily, with numbers rising to 1,500 during peak market days, while the South B Market will host 900 traders daily and 1,500 during designated market days. These markets will offer a range of products, including fresh farm, produce, fish and beef, clothing and household commodities
The markets are expected to increase Nairobi City County’s Own Source Revenue (OSR), strengthening its financial position and enhancing service delivery.
These two markets are part of a broader modernization project aimed at constructing 400 markets across key trading centres in the country. The initiative seeks to:
Enhance economic opportunities for small-scale traders
Improve market infrastructure for a more conducive trading environment
Boost local economies and job creation
With these strategic investments, the government is ensuring inclusive economic growth, fostering an environment where small businesses thrive, and creating a pathway for informal traders to transition into formal economic systems.
Traders in Kasarani and Starehe can look forward to modern, well-equipped, and secure trading spaces that will transform their businesses and improve their livelihoods.