Chogoria Fall In Love With New Market as Project Nears Completion
An aerial view of the Chogoria ESP market under construction in Tharaka Nithi County.
Traders in Chogoria have expressed excitement and gratitude as the modern Chogoria ESP Market nears completion, saying the new facility is set to transform business operations and improve livelihoods for hundreds of local traders.
Speaking in Chogoria, long-time trader Lawrence Kirimi said the project has brought hope to business people who for years operated in difficult conditions exposed to rain, mud, dust, and harsh weather.
Kirimi, who has worked as a trader in Chogoria for 15 years, thanked President William Ruto for supporting the construction of the market, saying previous governments had failed to address the needs of local traders.
“We suffered for many years. Whenever it rained, water would sweep through our stalls and destroy our goods. Sometimes we lost everything because we had no proper market,” he said.
According to Kirimi, the nearly completed market now stands as a symbol of development and economic empowerment for ordinary wananchi under the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
“We used to think this market was just a dream, but today that dream has become a reality. In a few days, traders and especially women doing business here will finally have a dignified place to work from,” he stated.
He further said the modern structure would protect traders and customers from harsh weather conditions that have long disrupted business activities in the area.
“When the sun is too much, we suffer. When it rains, our goods are damaged. But here, there will be no dust and no rain disturbing us. Customers will buy clean products that have not been exposed to mud or bad weather,” he said.
Speaking during a consultative forum with Tharaka Nithi grassroots leaders, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said the government launched the national market construction programme to improve working conditions for small-scale traders and vegetable vendors who have for years operated in unsafe and undignified environments.
“We came up with a national government programme to build markets so that women selling vegetables and small traders can stop operating under the scorching sun, in the rain, and in dusty conditions while risking their lives selling goods by the roadside,” said Kindiki.
The Deputy President said the initiative seeks to relocate traders from roadsides into clean and organized spaces where they can conduct business comfortably and safely.
Kirimi also praised Deputy President Kithure Kindiki for supporting the President and urged residents to continue supporting the government, saying the market demonstrates the impact of the Bottom-Up agenda by uplifting small-scale traders and ordinary citizens.
“I started from the bottom, and now I can see hope of rising through this business. This market will improve my business, support my family, and help educate my children,” he said.
The Chogoria ESP Market is among several government-backed infrastructure projects aimed at improving trading environments for small-scale entrepreneurs across the country. Local traders say the project is expected to boost economic activity, create jobs, and enhance hygiene and safety standards within the town.
