Kisii Governor James Ongwae has promised to erect shades for hawkers and a terminus for matatu operators in Kisii Town.
The governor said the move is aimed at ensuring favourable working environment for the business community.
Speaking on Thursday when he visited Kisii Town to inspect the state of the town, Governor Ongwae said he has laid down mechanisms of acquiring a plot that will be used for parking in order to ease congestion in the terminus.
“I am aware of the challenges our people are going through in their businesses. We inherited numerous challenges as the county government and that is why we are strained to get a piece of land because public land in the town was grabbed and there are impending cases in court on the same,” said Ongwae.
He added: “However, my government is striving towards buying a piece of land to establish another stage because the current terminus is congested. We will also erect shades for hawkers so that they can carry out there business in a conducive environment.”
Ongwae said his government would review taxing charges to enable business people carry out their business effectively.
He said water kiosks which will be managed by associations in the business community will be erected to enable vendors have clean and affordable water.
“You will have water kiosks in less than a month. My officers will ensure that this is done so that our people do not incur huge costs when acquiring the commodity. We will also ensure proper mechanisms are put in place to avoid leakages,” said Ongwae.
Ongwae was responding to the appeal from the traders who asked him to erect water kiosks and public latrines in the market for improved sanitation.
The chair for open-air market, Elijah Ombongi, said that traders were being charged exorbitantly for latrine services in the public facilities in the town and therefore called on the governor to intervene in the matter.
Governor Ongwae was accompanied by Chief Officer Patrick Lumumba, Kisii Town Director of Administration Beatrice Ochoki, Kitutu Central MCA Pius Abuki and other senior officers in his government.