County governments, traders and private sector players across Uasin Gishu, Kisumu and Nakuru counties have launched renewed efforts to strengthen market leadership, improve trade environments and deepen collaboration through a series of public-private dialogues held last week under the IYBA-SEED Project.
The forums, convened by SNV Kenya with support from Viffa Consult and ASSEK between June 23 and 26, brought together county officials, market leaders, cooperatives, tourism stakeholders, Jua Kali associations, manufacturers and business membership organisations to address long-standing challenges affecting local enterprises.
In Uasin Gishu County, the dialogue was led by County Executive Committee Member for Trade, Industrialization, Tourism, Cooperatives and Enterprise Development Dr. Philip Chebunet, alongside representatives from major markets including Kahoya, Langas and Main Market.
Speaking during the forum, Dr. Chebunet underscored the importance of structured engagement between county governments and market actors in shaping policies that directly impact traders and businesses.
The meetings focused on strengthening multi-stakeholder platforms through improved governance, coordinated advocacy, institutional independence and transparent communication structures aimed at enhancing accountability.
Participants used local case studies and open discussions to examine leadership, corporate governance, dispute resolution and market management practices.
Traders and sector representatives openly raised concerns over poor infrastructure and limited support systems affecting businesses across counties. In Uasin Gishu, market leaders cited inadequate water supply and drainage systems, insecurity caused by insufficient personnel and lack of CCTV surveillance, poor garbage collection, unfair competition from hawkers operating outside designated markets and double taxation.
Representatives from the tourism and hospitality sector called for greater investment in capacity building, knowledge exchange and market development support, while Jua Kali operators pushed for better access to national and export markets, recognition within county programmes and allocation of designated industrial worksites.
A day later in Kisumu County, County Executive Committee Member for Trade, Tourism, Industry and Marketing Farida Salim led similar engagements bringing together leaders from Uhuru, Kibuye and Jubilee markets.
Stakeholders in Kisumu highlighted the urgent need to improve sanitation and hygiene in markets, install floodlights to enhance security and establish structured market days and pop-up markets to boost trade activities.
Participants said the dialogue provided an opportunity for market leaders to assess existing leadership structures and jointly develop work plans to address operational challenges affecting traders.
In Nakuru County, where the final forum was held on June 26, Director of Markets and Trade John Macharia represented the county government in discussions attended by leaders from markets drawn from all sub-counties including Wakulima, Naivasha Modern Market, Gilgil Food Market, Bahati Market and Rongai Market among others.
The Nakuru discussions focused heavily on youth inclusion and sustainability of market enterprises. Stakeholders emphasized the need to attract and mentor young entrepreneurs in value addition and product development.
They also called for stronger public participation mechanisms and clearer regulations governing market relocations and reallocations to reduce disputes and improve coordination.
Organisers said the forums are intended to create sustainable county-level platforms capable of championing trader interests while supporting implementation of responsive trade policies.
“The dialogues are helping counties and market actors move from isolated problem-solving to structured collaboration and long-term planning,” one participant noted during the Nakuru session.
The forums were attended by county trade directors, tourism officers, enforcement officers, ward administrators and private sector representatives from organisations including the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) and the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI).
