Homa Bay town to get new Sh118m market

Traders in Homa Bay market relocate to pave way for construction of a a Sh117.8 million modern market on May 29, 2019. (James Omoro, Standard)

Traders have voluntarily vacated their work premises in town to allow the construction of a Sh117.8m modern market.

The project, which is being undertaken by the county government in partnership with the World Bank, is expected to take one year to complete.

On Monday, County Secretary Isaiah Ogwe, who was accompanied by chief officers Noah Otieno (Finance) and Maina Njoroge (Public Works), inked a contract with Danaff Kenya Co. Ltd.

“We are signing this contract document today to enable our contractor start work in two days,” Mr Ogwe said, adding that 1,000 stalls would be built.

He said the county was committed to enabling the traders operate in a conducive atmosphere, adding that the county had put proper arrangements in place to relocate traders from the site of the new market to allow work to proceed smoothly.

“This project is meant for a town that has acquired municipality status hence it will only be undertaken in Homa Bay,” he said.

Mr Otieno urged the contractor to do quality work even as he assured that the county would pay up once work had been completed.

“We need quality work which is commensurate to the amount of money spent on the project.

“I want to assure the contractor that we have the money, which is ready for any quality work completed in the right time,” Otieno said.

Danaff Kenya Co Ltd Director He Yuanguo said they would complete the market within the stipulated period.

“I promise to undertake the work with the required speed to ensure that it is complete in eight or nine months,” Mr Yuanguo said.

Homa Bay Giant Traders Association Secretary General Simeon Kwach said they had gotten new sites from where members would operate.