Lari: The ‘Soko Mjinga’ Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) Market in Kirenga ward, Lari sub-county, Kiambu County, has reached 97 percent completion, with final works expected to conclude in the coming weeks.
According to Kenya News Agency, the market was launched by President William Ruto under the National Economic Stimulus Programme and is anticipated to transform trade and improve livelihoods across Kiambu County’s farming communities. A delegation from the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Housing, Urban Planning and Public Works, led by Chairman Johana Ng’eno, inspected the project and commended its steady progress. Ng’eno noted the quality of workmanship and suggested that other contractors adopt similar concepts when constructing ESP markets.
The Committee praised the contractor’s efficiency and confirmed that the project has demonstrated clear value for money. Engineers on site indicated that all major civil works and installations have been completed, with only final fittings and inspections pending before handover.
Once operational, the ‘Soko Mjinga’ Market will serve as a central hub for agricultural trade, providing modern, safe, and accessible facilities for farmers and traders. The facility will include ultra-modern stalls with secure storage, cold rooms for perishable produce, lactating rooms, a food court, and an ICT hub to connect traders to digital services.
Additional features include SACCO offices, a social hall, administrative offices, an ATM lobby, and an offsite ablution block equipped for persons with disabilities. A borehole with a 300,000-litre storage capacity has also been installed to ensure a reliable water supply for cleaning and preservation.
Lari Member of Parliament Mburu Kahangara expressed optimism about the market’s potential to strengthen agricultural value chains and improve market access. Local residents have also benefitted from employment opportunities during construction, with most of the workforce drawn from Kirenga ward and nearby villages. Traders currently operating at the old ‘Soko Mjinga’ site will be given first priority for stall allocation upon completion.
Mary Wanjiru, a local vegetable vendor, expressed her satisfaction with the development, highlighting the benefits of clean, secure spaces for vendors and an improved shopping experience for customers. The committee’s inspection of ‘Soko Mjinga’ was part of a five-day oversight tour of Affordable Housing and ESP Market projects across Nairobi and Kiambu counties.
Ng’eno concluded by commending the cooperation between national agencies, contractors, and county officials, expressing anticipation for the market’s commissioning. The project is expected to be officially completed and handed over next month following a final inspection and issuance of the completion certificate.
