A multi-million shilling market built by the World Bank in Migori town has remained underused by traders over a year after its completion.
Work on the Ombo Modern Market started in early in 2019, at a tune of Sh84 million after funding from the World Bank and the county government under the Kenya Urban Support Programme.
The market has a capacity to host 420 traders with installed storage facilities, modern one-storey stalls, over 1,000 litre underground water tank, high mast security light and proper waste system.
The total cost of the market, including the tarmacking of access roads around and towards the market saw its value jump to Sh133 million.
On July 1, 2022, former Migori governor Okoth Obado officially launched the market whose construction and issuing of stalls to traders was marred by politics and claims of nepotism.
The fanfare and scramble for stalls which marred the launch of the market with modern stalls, water, electricity and secure fence has however died down as most stalls have been abandoned.
“This market is far from the central business district, right now this is the only modern market in Migori town, but we are skeptical about opening here because sales are low,” Lucas Omollo, a trader dealing in cereal products said.
Currently, the World Bank is working on a Sh114 million Marindi Market at the heart of Migori town which has seen traders moving to roadsides causing deadly accidents and tension between them and the county government.
“Most traders are comfortable with informal spots in Migori town which is three kilometres away than being relocated here where stalls are cheaper even after threats from the county,” Allan Odira a trader said.
Earlier this year, alarmed by closed stalls after complains that people who secured them could not open and wanted to rent them out to others, the county trade department gave a notice of re-distribution.
Grace Okeyo, a tailor at the market said for the one year she has been operating there, she has only paid Sh1,500 for her stall compared to Sh7,000 a month for stalls just outside the market.
“Stalls here are cheaper, cleaner with water and more secure but no trader wants to move in. Some complain that an access road and a bridge cutting a route to Migori town should be built first,” she said.
Michael Ogare, Chairman of Namba Market which is four kilometres from Migori town and who owns a stall at the Ombo market, said he is optimistic the new market will pick up.
“Claims that the market is far from town does not hold, Migori is expanding and plans to decongest it will see it pick soon. As traders, we are working closely with the county to ensure this,” Ogare said.
The traders were speaking on Tuesday during a meeting with County director for trade Collins Bala in a push to designate the market as the main stop for fresh farm produce and food product sellers.
“We have stalls which were abandoned and will be given to fresh produce suppliers and retailers. This will further attract the traders who have been reluctant to own spaces in the modern market for fear of a lack of buyers,” Bala said.
He said as a department, they were concerned by traders refusing to occupy spaces at the market which he termed as a great challenge, but are hopeful that this new trend will attract them to flock there.
Responding to claims that there are no buyers in the modern market, Bala said that buyers cannot go where there are no goods assembled for sale, hence, it is upon the sellers to take the first action.
He, however, warned traders who have remained inactive despite acquiring trading licenses for the rented spaces that they risk their licenses being revoked and given to other serious traders.
“This is to tell those who have kept their licenses under the suitcase that they are risking and as a department, we have all the mandate to revoke and award the licenses to other serious sellers,” he said.
The Ombo modern market was part of World Bank Sh516 million project in Migori county which covered Migori, Awendo and Rongo municipalities.
The three municipalities were part of 59 others spread across the country in a bid to transform them into modern town.
In Awendo town, a public recreational park and upgrading of Awendo township roads to bitumen standards at a cost of Sh219 million and construction of Rongo Bus Park and Upgrading of Rongo township roads to bitumen standards was done at a cost of Sh165 million.