Mathioya's Gikoe ESP Market Hits 98% Completion

The Gikoe ESP Market in Mathioya Constituency, Murang’a County, has reached 98% completion as the government moves to finalize a modern facility designed for the informal sector. Dr. Raymond Omollo, the Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration, confirmed the status of the project, which is part of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.

The two-storey structure is built to accommodate approximately 220 traders who currently operate in informal roadside settings. The shift to a permanent facility aims to provide a safer and more organized environment for small-scale businesses.

Beyond basic stalls, the market includes technical infrastructure such as cold storage units. These facilities are intended to preserve farm produce, which helps minimize post-harvest losses for local farmers and vendors.

Social amenities are also integrated into the design. The building features dedicated rooms for table banking to support women's groups, an ICT hub, and a breastfeeding room for mothers working at the site.

The State Department for Internal Security and National Administration is coordinating the final implementation through local administrative channels. This oversight is meant to ensure a seamless transition and orderly operations once the market is fully occupied.

Supporting infrastructure at the Gikoe site includes dry stores, a kitchen, and a social hall. Sanitation facilities have also been upgraded to serve both the resident traders and the visiting customers.

The project aligns with wider national goals to uplift living standards for ordinary Kenyans. By moving vendors away from the roads, the market improves local traffic safety while providing dignified workspaces.

Construction of such markets is a key pillar of the BETA framework, which prioritizes the economic inclusion of those in the informal economy. The Mathioya project serves as a template for an integrated market infrastructure in rural counties.

Local administrators are currently monitoring the final touches on the building. The transition into full use is expected shortly, as the remaining 2% of the works are concluded.

Modern markets like Gikoe are intended to be multi-functional hubs rather than just trading floors. The inclusion of financial and digital spaces indicates a shift toward more comprehensive infrastructure planning for Kenyan small businesses.