A section of traders at Gakoromone Market in Meru County have opposed plans to relocate them to a temporary market as construction of the Sh1 billion modern market gets underway, saying the alternative site is inadequate, unsafe and prone to flooding.
Speaking to journalists at the market, the traders said they had expected to be relocated to a well-built facility that would comfortably accommodate their businesses during the construction period.
Instead, they claimed the temporary structures being erected are weak and unlikely to withstand daily trading activities.
“If you look at the current market, you can see it was built to last. But if you look at the temporary market being built for us, we do not think the structures are strong enough to accommodate us,” said a trader, Mama Kabe.
The traders also questioned the drainage system at the temporary site, arguing that it could expose them to flooding during the rainy season.
They claimed the culvert being constructed is too small to channel runoff from Meru Town, raising fears that flooding could disrupt business operations.
Another trader, Triphosa Mukima, said the temporary market is too small to accommodate all traders.
She added that they had expected the government to construct a relocation market on land currently occupied by the sewerage system once it is relocated to Rwanyange area.
“We were promised a proper market at the former sewerage site. If this is the temporary market we are expected to move into, then we cannot accept it,” said Mukima.
Mukima also expressed concern over the safety and sanitation of the proposed relocation site, claiming it is prone to insecurity and sewerage-related challenges that could discourage customers from visiting the market.
However, a section of youths employed at the temporary market construction site defended the project, saying it has created employment opportunities while improving infrastructure in the area.
They urged traders to allow the works to be completed before passing judgment.
“I thank the government for bringing this project because it has created jobs for many young people. We ask the traders to be patient and allow the work to be completed,” said site worker Joselyn Kareru.
The youths dismissed claims that the construction was substandard, maintaining that recruitment had been fair and open to all interested applicants.
They added that the project has provided meaningful employment and encouraged more young people to take advantage of the available opportunities.
Another worker, Doreen Mwendwa, credited the county government’s Meru Youth Service programme with equipping young people with skills that enabled them to secure employment at the site.
She thanked Governor Mutuma M’Ethingia for supporting initiatives that have created job opportunities for local youth.
Similar sentiments were echoed by Joseto, another worker, who said the once-neglected site has undergone significant transformation since construction began.
He cited the installation of a new culvert as one of the improvements expected to enhance drainage and reduce flooding in the area.
“If you look at Gakoromone, there is a lot of politics surrounding this project. Some people are complaining because their children were not employed here, yet they never came to seek the available jobs,” said Joseto.
He challenged critics to visit the site and assess the progress made, maintaining that some of the opposition to the project is politically motivated rather than based on the quality of the ongoing works.
Edited by John Majau
