Construction on the Nyeri Modern Market in Nyeri Town has crossed the 61% completion mark, giving local vendor communities and residents a much-needed boost after just over a year of development.

According to Inspector of Works Rex Shiano, the project is moving smoothly and is slated for completion in the next three to four months.

“Most of the substructure and superstructure are complete. We are now doing the walling and general finishing works,” Shiano says.

The project is designed to accommodate about 750 traders and will feature bulk stores, cold stores and general trading spaces.

It will also have offices, shops and an ablution block, providing traders with a dedicated facility to conduct their businesses. For traders currently operating from a parking area outside the construction site, the new market will bring a major change.

Shiano says the facility will provide a safer and more comfortable environment, helping traders move away from the dust, congestion and risks associated with operating alongside vehicles.

As the building rises, the project is also creating livelihoods for people in the surrounding community. “Between 35 and 45 workers are currently engaged at the site each day, including masons, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, mechanics and casual workers.” Says Shiano.

The construction site has also become a practical training ground for young people seeking to build careers in the industry.

Lucy Maingi, a worker at the site and a Building and Construction graduate from Nyeri Technical College, shared that three weeks on-site allowed her to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world application, picking up practical stonework and plastering skills. She says she is also encouraged by the number of young people earning an income through the project.

“There are many youths employed in such projects in this county, and we are happy to be making a living from this work we do.” Noted Maingi.

This modern, purpose-built market will fundamentally elevate the daily livelihoods of local traders by replacing their informal, exposed setups with secure, structured commercial spaces.

With the project now past the 60 per cent mark, the focus has shifted to the final stretch as workers race to complete the remaining works and prepare the facility for the traders who have been waiting for a modern place to do business.