Kericho: Kericho County government has vowed to uphold full transparency and strict accountability in the allocation of stalls at the newly commissioned Sh240 million Kericho Municipal Market, ensuring zero tolerance for corruption and guaranteeing that the market serves the genuine small-scale traders it was built to empower.
According to Kenya News Agency, during the opening ceremony of the modern market, which is located next to the Kiprugut Chumo stadium, Governor Eric Mutai highlighted the need for strict accountability due to the high-value public investment. He stressed that only verified and legitimate traders would be allocated stalls to prevent favoritism, bribery, and illegal allocations.
Governor Mutai explained that the county administration had established clear and transparent allocation guidelines aimed at eliminating brokers and cartels while ensuring fairness and equal opportunity for all eligible traders. He emphasized that the modern Sh240 million market is meant to directly benefit ordi
nary traders as a public asset that must serve the community fairly and transparently.
The facility, commissioned by Dr. Mutai alongside Nandi Governor Stephen Sang, was implemented through the Kericho Municipal Board to accommodate more than 600 traders in a clean, organized, and secure environment. Mutai noted that the market addresses long-standing challenges faced by traders who have operated in the open and endured harsh weather conditions, providing a dignified and conducive trading space.
Mutai also mentioned that the project aligns with the county’s agenda of modernizing urban infrastructure while supporting the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda through grassroots economic empowerment. He remarked that the market is about restoring dignity to local traders and creating a conducive space for business growth.
Governor Sang congratulated the Kericho County leadership for prioritizing people-centered development, stating that the market will improve hygiene standards, enhance service delivery, a
nd stimulate cross-county trade. He commended the Kericho County Government for delivering an important project that provides a dignified place for traders to conduct their business with pride and efficiency.
Traders welcomed the facility but requested enhanced lighting, adequate parking space, and strict accountability in stall allocation to improve accessibility and security. In response, Governor Mutai disclosed that the county government would improve security lighting, address parking needs, and organize a medical camp at the market to offer free health check-ups for traders.
The colorful commissioning was attended by a host of leaders, including Members of the County Assembly led by Majority Leader Philip Rono, area MCA Martin Cheruiyot, Ainamoi Division Assistant County Commissioner Nancy Kibet, and other area leaders. They commended the county government for delivering a long-awaited project that directly benefits traders.
