Mombasa: Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir has inaugurated the newly completed Sh50 million Mikindani market, describing it as a deliberate investment in economic infrastructure to promote sustainability for small and medium-scale businesses in the coastal county.
According to Kenya News Agency, the 170-trader capacity market was constructed by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) as part of the Mombasa-Mariakani Highway Project. This initiative serves as a livelihood restoration effort for small-scale traders affected by the expansion of the Mombasa-Kwa Jomvu Road section.
The new market in Jomvu constituency, strategically located along the Mombasa-Nairobi highway, features modern amenities such as a conference hall, an ablution block, a specialized feeding room for lactating mothers, Wi-Fi connectivity, and concrete stall tables. KeNHA Director General (DG) Eng. Luka Kimeli handed over the market to the county government, describing it as an ‘economic stimulator’ and urging residents to protect it for future generations.
During the inauguration, Eng. Kimeli encouraged the public to collaborate with the Authority in safeguarding road infrastructure, enhancing road safety, and reporting vandalism or activities threatening the integrity of national road networks. He emphasized that the project aims to provide traders with a secure and dignified business environment by relocating them from roadside stalls to a modern market designed for efficient and organized trade.
Governor Nassir highlighted that the market was designed to stimulate economic growth and empower local traders while addressing the risks associated with roadside trading. He stressed that infrastructure development should lead to improved lives, stronger businesses, and greater economic opportunities for the people. Nassir confirmed that the county government will assume full responsibility for operating and maintaining the new facility.
He assured that the market would soon open to traders, offering an organized and business-friendly environment. ‘Our priority is to ensure that the market serves its intended beneficiaries and provides traders with a safe, dignified, and conducive environment to earn their livelihoods,’ Nassir stated. He added that the market aligns with the county government’s broader agenda of modernizing market infrastructure and stimulating local economic growth across Mombasa.
Jomvu MP Badi Twalib praised the market initiative as a strategic step toward repositioning Jomvu constituency as a thriving hub for trade and businesses. He noted that the market offers a modern and conducive environment for small and medium-scale businesses to flourish in the coastal city. ‘The new market will address roadside trading, reduce traffic gridlock, and enhance safety for both traders and residents,’ he remarked.
