Kesses traders set for new facility as Matharu ESP Market reaches completion

The construction of the Matharu Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) Market in Kesses Constituency, Uasin Gishu County, is now complete. The project, which commenced in May 2024, has met its structural requirements and is awaiting official handover to the local community and the county government.

This development was confirmed by Charles Hinga Mwaura, the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Housing and Urban Development. The facility is part of a broader national initiative to upgrade trading environments for small-scale entrepreneurs across the country through the Economic Stimulus Programme.

The Matharu facility is designed to provide a more organized and hygienic environment for traders who have previously operated in less structured spaces. The infrastructure includes a multi-level main trading block, designed with an open-plan interior to maximize stall capacity and ventilation. Recent site images show a finished white-painted interior with robust concrete support columns, providing a significant upgrade from temporary roadside structures.

Utility installations at the site include a large-capacity pressed steel water tank, elevated on a concrete base to ensure a reliable supply for the market operations and sanitation blocks. This emphasis on water and hygiene is a standard feature of the ESP market designs, which often include specialized areas such as cold storage for perishable goods and dedicated spaces for lactating mothers.

The completion of the Matharu site comes as Uasin Gishu County continues to see an influx of infrastructure investment aimed at supporting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Other ongoing projects in the region include similar ESP markets in Kipkaren River and Moiben, alongside the flagship multi-storey 64 Ultra-Modern Market in Eldoret.

The locals in Kesses have expressed a need for such facilities to mitigate the challenges of trading during the rainy season and to reduce post-harvest losses. With the physical works finished, the next phase involves the formal commissioning and the allocation of stalls to the beneficiaries.

The project aligns with the national government's focus on grassroots economic transformation, as championed by President Ruto. By providing centralized hubs for trade, the government aims to bring essential services like electricity, digital hubs, and formal financial services closer to rural and peri-urban populations.