Kisumu Business Coalition (KBC) Chairman Israel Agina has urged Kisumu business community to adopt the use of container shops to reduce case of fire incidents and loss of property in case of fire related incidents.
Speaking to the press today (Thursday) in Kisumu Social Hall, Agina noted that retail shops, barber shops and other businesses are normally built using such materials which are prone to fire.
“If you take an example of Kibuye market, you will find most stalls and shops built using materials that are prone to fire attack. It is because of these that the spread of the fire is facilitated easily thereby causing more damage and destruction of property,” said Agina.
Agina also noted that Kibuye market in Kisumu has recorded the highest number of fire incidents in the past.
“Container shops are made of strong steel that cannot easily be brought down by fire and that is why it is advisable to adopt the use of containers to avoid loss of scores of property from being destroyed,” advised Agina.
At the same time, Agina challenged the county government to avail containers to businessmen in public markets at an affordable fee.
Meanwhile, Kisumu County Deputy governor Ruth Odinga today (Thursday) announced that the county government was going to allocate funds in the next financial year aimed at rehabilitation of public markets in the county.
The permanent buildings are set to replace the old dilapidated semi-permanent structures which are currently being faced out in the French-Funded Kisumu Urban Project.
Odinga also said that permanent buildings were also going to be built in all the seven sub-counties to conform to the county government’s policies and manifesto.
“We are going to set aside funds in the next financial year to build permanent structures in all the major public markets in the county to give our markets a face-lift,” said Odinga.
She also asked traders in the major markets to co-operate with the county government in the effort to give the town’s markets a major face-lift.
The Kisumu County Deputy governor Odinga was speaking to this writer in her office Kisumu office today.