BY EMMANUEL KIPRUTO
Londiani Market in Kericho County continues to operate without basic public facilities despite the daily revenue collected from traders. The busy market, which serves residents, travelers, and small business owners, still lacks public toilets, forcing traders and customers to seek alternatives outside the market. This situation has become both an inconvenience and a growing health concern.
Traders complain that although they pay levies every day, the county government has made little effort to improve the market’s general condition. This is something serious because the traders face harsh consequences if they fail to pay their revenue. Can the traders do so if the county fails to pay back? Garbage often remains uncollected, and during rainy seasons, the walkways become muddy and difficult to navigate. These poor conditions discourage customers and affect daily business operations, yet revenue collection continues uninterrupted.
The lack of sanitation facilities has greatly affected people who spend long hours in the market, including transport operators. A boda boda rider described the situation as unacceptable, saying, “Imagine working here the whole day with nowhere to relieve yourself. It’s embarrassing, and it’s not safe. A public market needs toilets.”
Many residents argue that the state of the market shows a disconnect between revenue collection and service delivery. They believe that part of the levies collected should be reinvested into essential infrastructure such as toilets, proper drainage, and consistent cleaning.
For now, Londiani Market remains a busy but poorly maintained trading center. Community members hope that increased public concern will push the authorities to finally take action and improve the environment for both traders and customers.
