More than 3,000 traders in Kitale are set to move into the new Masinde Muliro ultra-modern market after construction reached 95 percent completion, county officials said.
Trans Nzoia County Secretary Truphosa Amere said on Monday, February 2, 2026, that the county leadership is keen to see the project completed within the next 30 days to allow traders to occupy the facility.
The market is jointly funded by the county government and the national government, which recently injected Ksh 56 million to fast-track the final works.
“Our mothers have worked in the sun and rain for too long. This must stop. The building is almost ready for businesspersons to move in,” Amere said during an inspection and handover meeting with officials from the State Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Why Masinde Muliro Market project stalled?
The project, which has taken nearly 10 years to complete, stalled for years due to funding gaps and contractor challenges.
Amere said the county terminated a previous contractor who failed to deliver despite receiving payments.
Officials from the State Department of Housing have now issued a firm 30-day deadline to complete the remaining works. Moses Owuor, a deputy director at the department, said the directive came from the Principal Secretary and the governor.
“Within one month, this market should be complete,” Owuor said.
To meet the deadline, two contractors are working on site. One team is handling infrastructure such as water tanks, while the other is finishing stalls, electricity connections and repairs.
Technical teams, including engineers and architects, are supervising the final phase.
The market will have clean water, modern toilets, secure storage and improved safety. A special committee and public consultations have been set up to ensure fair stall allocation.
Traders welcomed the development, saying the new market will improve their businesses. Once opened, all traders will be required to operate inside the facility to enhance order and safety.
