Kisumu Deputy Governor (DG) Mathew Owili has said that the County Government has started an exercise set to modernize Katito market.
Owili made this remarks on Monday at Katito market when County Officials visited the facility for a fact-finding mission following a public outcry.
The DG observed that the traders were currently conducting their business in deplorable conditions that had largely affected their sales.
He affirmed that the Devolved Unit’s leadership was keen on ensuring that facilities at the market are stepped-up so as to maximize its under-exploited potential.
Alice Moraa, the County Executive Committee Member (CeC) in-charge of Business, Energy and Industry Department disclosed that her docket has instructed a team of technicians to repair broken down security lights at the market.
“The lights will be functional by evening to ensure that traders can still make sales in evening. This will also boost security and will see the market compete against other markets like Sondu and Ahero markets,” stated Moraa.
Moraa further mentioned that the county had already set plans to have the market murrammed, and also fenced disclosing that the activity will begin on March 26 and that a contractor has already been contacted.
“The Sub-County directors in my department and the market leadership should keep him in check to ensure nice work is done. I will also be involved in supervision of the work,” said CeC Moraa.
The CeC, however, lamented that the traders had not embraced the saving culture wholly which he revealed had dealt a blow to their businesses besides also whipping-up poverty levels.
It is in this light that Moraa pledged to deploy a cooperate officers in the area who will train the traders on saving and also help them create a savings group which will latter transit to a SACCO.
She also revealed that the cheques to traders who had applied for business loans from the county were ready and they will be presented to them before the end of this week.