Ruto reviews progress of Sh75 million Mogonga Market construction in Kisii

President William Ruto conducted an inspection of the Mogonga Market construction site in Bomachoge Borabu, Kisii County, on Tuesday. The project, valued at Sh75 million, represents a focused effort to modernize trading infrastructure within the constituency. Upon completion, the facility is expected to accommodate 200 traders who currently operate in less formal environments.

The site visit, occurring during a broader development tour of the Nyanza region, allowed the President to assess the structural progress of the market. The current works involve a multi-storey design, a change from earlier plans after the President sanctioned an additional Sh20 million to the initial Sh55 million budget. This adjustment followed local feedback regarding the high volume of traders in the area.

During the inspection, President Ruto emphasized that the new structure would protect business owners from harsh weather conditions. Many traders in the region have historically worked under the sun and rain, which hampers consistent commercial activity. The new facility aims to formalize these operations within a controlled and more hygienic environment.

In addition to the physical stalls, the project is designed to integrate modern service features. These include an ICT hub where residents can access government services such as applications for identification documents and birth certificates. The inclusion of digital infrastructure within a traditional marketplace is a strategy being replicated across several new markets in the county.

The Mogonga project is one of several infrastructure developments currently underway in Kisii. During the same tour, President Ruto commissioned a Sh55 million market in Nyaribari Masaba and announced the upcoming commencement of Suneka Airport renovations. These projects are part of a wider national program to establish modern markets in every constituency to support the informal sector.

President Ruto noted that the national government is collaborating with the Kisii County government on several large-scale industrial projects. This includes a Sh500 million County Aggregation and Industrial Park designed for value addition of agricultural produce like bananas and coffee. These facilities are intended to complement the retail capacity provided by markets like Mogonga.

The construction at Mogonga is currently in its structural phase, with visible progress on the concrete framework and reinforcement. Local leaders and residents gathered at the site to receive updates on the timeline. The President urged the contractors to maintain the quality of work to ensure the building meets the safety standards required for high-occupancy public spaces.

Development in the region also extends to housing and education infrastructure. The government has reportedly allocated funds for 13,000 affordable housing units in Kisii, alongside new hostels for technical colleges. These projects, combined with the market upgrades, form a cluster of construction activity aimed at improving the urban landscape of the county.