By Christopher Omondi
Traders at Kisian Market in Kisumu West Constituency have raised their concerns regarding the challenging conditions they currently face due to the absence of a dedicated market space. Consequently, many are selling their goods by the roadside. Earlier this year, the County Government of Kisumu collaborated with the National Government on the Kisian Economic Stimulus Program Market Project (Kisian ESP Market Project), which aims to provide local traders and farmers with a modern and organized venue for their businesses.
This initiative is intended to promote economic growth and create employment opportunities within Kisumu West Constituency. However, it appears that this vision has not yet come to fruition, as traders continue to operate under difficult weather conditions, despite funds having been allocated for the construction of a modern market.
Bridgete Achieng, a trader at the market, eloquently articulated the situation: “We are currently struggling to operate amidst challenging weather. Political leaders often visit us during campaign seasons, offering promises of a new market but then seem to disappear after elections. The most we receive are branded umbrellas as a gesture of support. We understand the intentions behind the Kisian ESP Market Project, but it has not yet delivered the expected benefits to our community. We are still waiting for the modern, spacious market and new trading opportunities. Additionally, while our market is ideally located along major highways, we face challenges in accessing urban consumers, which could positively impact our sales. The lack of cold storage facilities results in post-harvest losses for many farmers, affecting their income. Moreover, Bodaboda operators are also facing difficulties, working without shade and enduring exposure to varying weather conditions. Security for our goods remains a concern, compelling traders to invest in private security and storage, which can be financially burdensome for many.”
Although the current status of the project is not clearly stated, inspections have confirmed that funds have been allocated; however, there has been little visible progress toward achieving the project’s objectives. It is noteworthy that similar initiatives have yielded success in other regions; for instance, the Government of Kenya has successfully constructed four ESP markets in Kericho County, with three currently operational. Given the prolonged status of the Kisian project, we remain hopeful that the challenges can be addressed on time.
The Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development, particularly the State Department for Housing and Urban Development, is overseeing the Kisian ESP Market Project. We respectfully request a report on the progress of this initiative at your earliest convenience. soon.
