Inside Modern Amenities at Completed Kabatini ESP Market in Bahati

The Government has finalized the construction of the Kabatini Economic Stimulus Program (ESP) Market in Bahati Constituency, Nakuru County. Executed through the State Department for Housing and Urban Development, the facility is designed to provide a structured environment for local commerce, moving traders from informal settings into a modern complex.

Construction of the project began in April 2024, with the design focusing on maximizing capacity within a limited footprint. The finished structure provides 204 trading spaces distributed across two levels. The ground floor accommodates 120 traders, primarily focused on fresh produce and high-traffic retail, while the upper floor provides an additional 84 spaces for diverse enterprises.

Infrastructure at the Kabatini site includes specialized amenities rarely found in traditional open-air markets. To address the challenge of post-harvest losses, the department installed cold rooms for perishable goods alongside dry stores for non-perishable stock. These additions are intended to allow the locals to manage inventory more efficiently and reduce daily waste.

Beyond physical trade, the market incorporates a dedicated ICT hub. This facility is intended to serve as a base for youth digital jobs, aligning the market with broader national goals of integrating technology into local economies. The site also features a social hall and a food court designed to facilitate community engagement and provide on-site dining options for vendors and customers.

Public health and social welfare played a significant role in the architectural brief. The facility includes a dedicated mothers’ room and a baby changing area, providing a private space for lactating women who balance trade with childcare. The site also features a children’s play area, modern toilets, and standard ablution blocks to maintain sanitation levels within the busy trading center.

Security and administrative oversight remain central to the facility’s operations. The involvement of Internal Security and National Administration is expected to ensure the market remains a safe environment for business. By centralizing trade along the Nakuru-Nyahururu highway, the government expects to inject vibrancy into the local economy and strengthen the capacity of small-scale entrepreneurs in Bahati.

The completion of the Kabatini facility is part of a wider infrastructure roll-out under the ESP framework, which has seen similar markets commissioned across Nakuru County. These projects aim to decentralize trade and provide dignified working conditions for small-scale traders, including the prominent Mama Mboga demographic, through better hygiene and secure storage.