Shoe shiners and ornament traders within Eldoret town will soon have a good environment to operate from.
This is after the County Government of Uasin Gishu concluded construction of curio shops and shoe shine booths within the town.
According to the County Executive Committee Member for the Department of Lands, Physical Planning, Housing and Urban Development Anthony Sitienei, the soon-to-be launched initiative is part of their efforts to raise and elevate the outlook of the town.
Sitienei further said the county is also implementing several other projects as part of Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim’s pledge to ensure urbanisation growth.
There are ongoing works at the Eldoret Teachers Advisory Centre, and the Eldoret Sports Club.
“We have people who have operated in open-air spaces along the streets for over thirty years as shoe shiners and this is a breakthrough to improve their working environment,” said the CECM during a visit to on the sites for the projects on Thursday.
“Am glad we are giving a smile to many families across the town. This also will protect them from harsh weather conditions as witnessed currently through heavy downpours,” he added.
Enhanced revenue
The Curio Shops and Shoe Shine Booths are located along Zion Mall, Eldoret Library, KVDA Plaza and Nandi Park.
With the new structures set to be opened to the traders, Director of Housing, Ms Beatrice Menjo, noted that for the first time, those businesses will also be sources of revenue collection since the premises will operate with full business permits.
“To enhance the town’s cleanliness and neatness, we are looking at a spatially organized town and putting into perspective an orderly city for all our residents and guests,” Menjo said.
“The curio shops along Nandi Park, are a major tourist attraction because the women operating along this street sell items that include African jewelry, and wildlife decorations that portray our culture in depth,” she added.
Accompanying the County Executive Member in the site visits was also the Director Urban Development Planner Jacktone Kiprop.
Kiprop lauded the contractors for executing the work in an exemplary manner.
He said the shops and booths are neat and well branded.
“In line with our mandate, we are also focusing on addressing development control within the CBD while protecting and improving the green spaces within our Urban centers,” said Planner Kiprop.
