The Nairobi County government in Kenya has
committed US $794m to construct modern retail markets across the county with
aim of boosting trade.
County Governor Mike Sonko said construction will
involve revamping the markets built in or before the 1960s which don’t meet the
demands of the county’s growing population.
“Most of the retail markets in the city are old and
their stalls and designs do not meet today’s demands. We want to change that.
Even if we have to destroy the old markets and residential houses to construct
new modern structures, we are determined and focused,” said Governor Sonko.
The governor said those who will be affected will
be compensated. The new markets are set to recover from years of fluctuating
prices and as the current wave of political uncertainty draws to a close.
Meanwhile, Nairobi county is also embarking on
other infrastructural projects including construction of five new fire
stations out of the city’s central business district (CBD) and closer
residential estates to provide faster services.
According to Mike Sonko, “Some of these projects
are already in progress with several nearing completion. The work on fire
stations is 90%, that one of Waithaka is 70% done as well as Mwaliro market.”
Additionally, the county government is also planning to construct more than 200,000 houses targeting low and middle class owners in the next five years.https://constructionreviewonline.com/2019/04/kenya-commits-us-794m-to-construct-modern-markets-in-nairobi/
