Traders and buyers at the Kibuye Market in Kisumu County. [Photo/ nation.co.ke]
Traders at Kibuye Market, one of the biggest open-air markets in the country have expressed their gratitude after the county government of Kisumu renovated the road next to the market.
The county government has embarked on a road rehabilitation project that will see the road from the main stage past Kibuye Market down to Mamboleo Estate renovated.
Speaking to this writer on Thursday, a section of the traders at the market lauded the project, saying the poor state of the road had been affecting their businesses.
"The poor roads within the market have been negatively affecting our businesses as many buyers find it hard to access the market due to poor infrastructure. When it rains, the mud on the roads hinders swift movement of buyers hence leading to low customer turnout. I would really like to thank the county government for renovating the road," said Florence Akinyi, a second-hand clothes trader at the market.
The road has now been tarmacked, though a better part of it still under construction."Before the road was renovated, we used to incur losses as our products would be filled with so much dust from vehicles operating on this route, a factor that led to customers rejecting our products as the dust made them look old," said John Okello, a trader.The traders hailed Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong'o for the good work and encouraged him to complete renovating the road, as Kibuye Market contributes largely to the economy of the county.
"We would love to thank the county government for renovating the road as some of the traders and buyers could get health complications such as coughing and flu because of inhaling dust blown from moving vehicles within the area," said Sarah Nyambura.
The traders said they are confident the county government under the leadership of Governor Nyong'o would soon complete renovating and constructing the road, leading to economic growth in the Lakeside city.