Miraa traders in Ziwani, Nairobi, have welcomed a move by the Nairobi City County to construct a miraa market in Ziwani, Starehe Sub-County.

Addressing miraa traders at a public participation event in Ziwani on the proposed miraa market construction, the County Executive Committee Member for Business and Hustler Opportunities Dr. Anastasia Nyalita assured the traders that the market is a top priority for Governor Johnson Sakaja to ensure that miraa traders conduct their businesses in a conducive environment.

“We purpose to construct 20 modern markets in the County. We have already done 4 markets namely Karen, Mutuini, Kahawa West and Jujo which are almost complete and this is the 5th market we are embarking on. When the market is complete, there will be a plan on how to allocate the traders,” said Dr. Nyalita.

Dr Nyalita appreciated the traders who showed up at the public participation forum in big numbers to give their views concerning the upcoming market.

Speaking also at the same forum, the County Chief Officer for Markets and Trade Jane Wangùi stated that the county had already set the budget and that all is set for the commencement of the project. She also mentioned that the proposed market will include amenities such as; a social hall, lactation room, a ramp for people with disabilities, a back up generator, ICT hub with free WiFi, a perimeter wall for security purposes and cold rooms for food preservation among other amenities.

“The market will be done in the least time possible since the budget is already there. We will ensure that the contractor is capable of delivering within the set timelines,” added Wangúi.

The Member of the County Assembly for Utawala Ward Said Karani, former MCAs Doris Kanario and Mberia, all praised Governor Sakaja’s administration for finally constructing a permanent market for the miraa traders who have previously carried out their businesses on the roadsides and streets.

The three explained that they had pushed for the construction of a miraa market in the county for the last ten years without success. They lauded the Governor for setting aside a budget that will see the dream of a Miraa market come to reality in the next few months.

The County Director for Markets Joel Muli explained that the market is designed to meet all the standards and that it will also accommodate other traders besides the miraa traders.

David Githaiga, the County Assistant Director for Markets, took the traders through a presentation of the proposed market outlook. This included the site layout, loading and off loading bay and the perspective view of the market.