Areas of West Pokot County Set to Benefit from Modern Markets

Trade CEC Mrs Clare Parklea during a past event.PHOTO/Courtesy.

By Benson Aswani,

West Pokot County is expected to benefit from at least four modern markets which are expected to boost the county’s economic development, investing in long-term solutions to the challenges of food security and expand opportunities in rural areas for employment.

The County’s Trade CEC Clare Parklea while speaking to Kalya Digital on Wednesday 22nd revealed the areas set to benefit from the project.

The projects comes just a month after the Governors County Address which he acknowleged of plans to develop the trade sector in West Pokot County.

In his address Governor Simon Kachapin noted that his government is closely working with the national government to develop markets in West Pokot through the Kenya Economic Stimulus Program (ESP).

According to the CEC the West Pokot County is set to receive at least Ksh 207 Million which will aid in the Construction of the markets in Kapenguria, South Pokot, Pokot Central and North Pokot areas.

The markets, among them Alale, Ortum, Makutano and Sigor, will undergo construction under new designs that will accommodate more traders and offer a wider pool of facilities including cold rooms, ICT hubs and food courts.

“We expect 207 million shillings from the national government which will be used in the construction of four modern markets in this West Pokot county. Each sub-county will benefit from one market,” said Parklea.

Likewise according to Kachapin the markets were allocated at least Ksh 50 Milion each.

“Sigor (50 Million), Alale (50M), Makutano (57M), and Ortum (50M), with a combined project cost of Kes. 207 million have already been handed over to the National Government for construction works to commence under ESP, and contractors are currently on site,” said Kachapin.

Worth noting according to Mrs Parklea, the markets will accommodate approximately 200 traders each an opportunity she stated will lead to a significant reduction of traders who run their business on the side of the road, a situation that endangers their lives.

“These markets will take approximately 200 traders each, this step helping a lot to get rid of the traders who are running their activities on the side of the road,” she said.

At the same time, Parklea said the county government in collaboration with USAID, is expected to build a market in the Marich area which will bring together businessmen from West Pokot, Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet and Turkana counties.

“The county government will also cooperate with the USAID organization to build a large market in the Marich area which will bring together businessmen from the counties of West Pokot, Baringo Turkana and Elgeyo Marakwet,” she said.