Kisumu County Government has taken over fresh produce markets build under the Economic Stimulus Programme. The county executive member in charge of commerce, tourism and heritage, Rose Kisia, said the county wants to take over management of such markets. Kisia singled out Nyahera market in Kisumu West Sub County noting that the county government will ensure its completion. “The county has taken over the markets and we will complete those that were left incomplete,” he said. Speaking when she toured such markets in the county, Kisia said the county government is keen to help small scale traders and will ensure stalled markets are completed. The last coalition government started the construction of farmers’ markets in constituencies across the country meant to jump-start rural economic growth. The markets are meant to help smallholder farmers find appropriate facilities to sell and store their produce to reduce waste. However a spot check around the county suggests sorry states in which the markets are in while others are deserted by the traders. In most instances, traders kept away from the markets and continue selling their produce in open areas exposed to direct sunlight and rain. The argument is that the ministry of Local Government in the then government failed to explore public participation on the location to put up the markets.

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