By Christopher Omondi.
Migosi market in Migosi Ward, Kisumu County, has been in a bad state for the longest time, experiencing no maintenance or renovation. Residents have raised concerns to the responsible institutions to save them from the unfavorable working conditions in the stalls, such as leaking roofs, naked wires, pest infestation, exposing people to bacteria and diseases from leaking latrines and other corroded components.
The project that is yet to be completed despite being allocated money in the 2024/2025 budget has left traders in the market blaming the local leadership for neglect in terms of development. They have called on the Kisumu City Management as the body responsible for the renovations led by the City Manager, Mr. Abala Wanga, to respond to their concerns, as no work on the renovation has commenced at the market.
“No renovations have happened in this market or these stalls in the last decade. I do welding work in this market, and it has outdated electrical systems that bring insufficient capacity for modern electrical loads, leading to a higher energy use in addition to naked wires and worn-out sockets, which may increase the risks of fire outbreaks. We need to know where the money for this project went. The conditions in this place have been unfavorable for us to operate in the stalls, as most are infested by rodents, which affects our storage, as some people who have hotels here store their stuff here. Insects like termites attack rotten wood, which weakens the frame of the stalls, ’’ saidMathew Adundo.
The poor hygienic conditions in the Market have really impacted the traders’ businesses, with the leaking and smelly latrines affecting the food businesses, leading to the closure of businesses. “If you look at these stalls, you’ll notice that most of them are empty, and this is because of the substandard state of the stalls and the entire Market, making it difficult for food vendors to operate effectively, and as a result, losses are recorded in business. We call upon the City of Kisumu management to respond to this matter or commence work as soon as possible. It is our right to have better conditions in Migosi market, especially with the money allocated already.” said Tom Otiya on the project.
The people of Migosi ward surely deserve better working conditions.
