Uhuru Business Park Complex in Ksm officially opens for traders

 

Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang Nyong'o signs a document during the officials opening of the Uhuru Business Park Complex in Kisumu today for the traders to start doing their businesses their-Photo Courtesy

By Dickson Odhiambo

March 30, 2022

Uhuru Business Park Complex in Ksm officially opens for traders

THE Uhuru Business Park Complex in Kisumu City has officially opened for traders

Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang Nyong’o says this project is a powerful illustration of what partnerships and collaboration between the National and County Governments can achieve.

Addressing the traders during its officials opening in Kisumu today, Governor Nyong’o said it is a yardstick with which the inter-governmental relationships can be measured.

 Nyong’o says this is an example of what happens when the two levels of government consult and complement each other.

Nyong’o says construction of markets which is in line with the Urban Renewal agenda is well envisaged in his manifesto which seeks to create a major transformation in terms of City Planning and the creation of habitable business spaces.

“My administration is committed to supporting Micro and Small Enterprises and has prioritized market development in its emergency development plans and has invested in the establishment of premises to house the informal traders,” he says.

 

Nyong’o says Chichwa market is already complete with a capacity of 749 stalls which are occupied, adding that Maendeleo market is complete and already 360 traders have been settled in the trading space.

 

“Phase 1 of the Modernization of the Kibuye market is more than 90 percent complete and will also absorb a majority of traders including blacksmiths, second-hand clothes sellers, foodstuff sellers, and the furniture sector. The Ultra-modern Otonglo market is also nearing completion.  The Nyamasaria satellite Bus Park which is almost complete will also provide space for trading,” he adds.

 

He says the County Government of Kisumu recognizes that infrastructure alone is insufficient to revamp the businesses and hence we have sought an integrated approach, adding that it has established a Business Innovation and Incubation Centre at the Rotary Youth Innovation Centre.

 

“This will stimulate business start-ups and accelerate growth and success rates while offering sustainable solutions that foster Micro and Small Enterprises' resilience. Up to this point, I issue a directive to the City Manager to ensure that all the available markets within the City are fully occupied and that all our traders are operating in a safe environment,” he further says.

 

The Governor adds that he will ensure no trader works in a dehumanizing environment where they sit under the scorching sun and have nowhere to shelter from rain or answer calls of nature.

The Uhuru Business Park Market Complex sits on Kenya Railways Corporation land on a negotiated agreement with the County Government of Kisumu.

 

The construction of the market was done by the National Government, State Department of Housing and Urban Development.

 

 The new market space is to accommodate traders whose structures were removed to pave way for the upgrading of the Kisumu port and Railway line from Lwang’ni, Winmart, Varsity Plaza, Akamba line, Fontana, Konyando, KPLC, Bank Street, Lake Market.

 

The market will also serve as a home to small and informal traders displaced for infrastructural development within the city from the Central Business District (CBD) triangle, main bus park, Vunduba, Patels, Aga khan, along Kenyatta Avenue, Noo Oroo road, Kilimani shopping area, Central Primary, Kimute near mamba, Nairobi Road, Oile park and Ondiek highway.

 

The market with a projection to accommodate about 5,000 traders, is set to have a huge impact on the lakeside city’s economy by revitalizing micro and small enterprises largely affected by the reorganization of the city and the emergence of Covid-19.

 

This will result in additional job creation, improved livelihood, and growth in the county’s revenue basket.

 

The market has twenty (20) open sheds that will be partitioned and fitted with lockable stalls and platforms to accommodate different sectors intended to utilize the space.

 

Various sectors are to be zoned with clear signage for ease of identifying services and goods offered at various sections.

 

The facility has adequate street lights and floodlights with a backup power generator that will enhance security and promote a 24-hour economy.

 

The facility also has loading and offloading zones for wholesalers, police post, parking space for customers, fire extinguishers, water tanks and sinks, a perimeter fence surrounding the market three (3) main gates, and nine (9) pedestrian gates for security purposes and ease of access to the market.

 

Uhuru Business Park Market Complex will be linked up with technical institutions, Jua Kali sectors, and the Business Innovation and Incubation Center for the display and sales of innovations from those sectors.

 

 It will serve as a retail point providing a ready market for sweet potatoes, yams, arrow roots, vegetables, fruits, groundnuts, sorghum, maize, fish, chicken, eggs, and meat to local farmers.

 

 The high mast floodlights and a well-lit trade cubicle will guarantee a safe environment for 24-hour trade that has been lacking over time.