Details of Ksh6 Billion Market Set to Be Constructed In Eldoret Town

The government has formally started the process of building a new market in Eldoret town.

President William Ruto had during Christmas Day Thanksgiving event at the Eldoret Sports Club announced that his government would build the market – a bigger one to replace the current small one that had been a subject of regular clashes between traders and enforcement officers.

“We will build a new one and it will be bigger so that you don’t keep fighting over who operates from where. You can’t fight over a small market and I’m here,” Ruto said on December 25, 2022.

Ruto Speaks on Eldoret Market Row

Barely a month since the announcement was made, Lands Cabinet Secretary Zacharia Mwangi visited Eldoret town to kick start the process.

Lands CS Zachary Mwangi signs a visitors book at the Uasin Gishu County Headquarters in Eldoret on January 16, 2023.

Speaking to the press after holding a closed-door meeting with the Uasin Gishu county leadership on January 16, 2023, CS Mwangi said the President will be commissioning the project latest early February 2023.

“We’re going to move with speed. That market will be advertised next week and by the end of January or early February 2023, we will have the President coming here to launch it,” said the Lands CS.

Underground parking

“I want to urge those with responsibility in this project to move with speed. We will come here regularly to ensure the project succeeds,” he added.

Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim said the project will be set up in a 3.25-acre plot where the currently closed Champions Market is located.

Main entrance to the Eldoret Retail Market which has been closed. Photo/Hubz Media.

Chelilim said the project will cost at least Ksh6 billion – funded by the national government.

“The market will have coolers and packaging for value addition of fresh produce and two levels of underground parking,” the governor said.

Once complete, the county boss noted, the market will be able to address the challenge of lack of space amongst traders in Eldoret town.

The current market has about 900 stalls but the number of traders in Eldoret is estimated to be around 4,000.

“We’re ready to expand and build a huge market to accommodate everybody. This market is timely and as a county, we’re more than ready to have it,” Governor Chelilim said.