The construction of Embu Modern Market by the National Government is set to revolutionize  the way small scale traders, vegetable vendors and Mama Mboga do their business by dignifying their work.

The structure which blends tradition and modernity is equipped with internet infrastructure to support e-business, meeting and cold rooms, modern food courts, and lactating rooms for mothers to breastfeed their babies. 

“It is a very good design that gives Mama Mboga and any other trader who is going to work here a good environment for his or her business,” said Benard Khaemba, a civil engineer who supervises the project on behalf of the contractor.

He assured traders that they will deliver a high quality job as President William Ruto pledged Mama Mboga in the 2022 presidential election. “About the project design, it is about uplifting Mamaboga’s and all those small scale traders as the President promised,” he said. 

Caption: Embu Modern Market, site engineer, Benard Khaemba said that project will be completed ahead of schedule

“Apart from just having good design shops and stalls. We have the lactation areas where breastfeeding mothers will be able to breastfeed their children at a very safe and conducive place and we also have space for small kids to play while their mothers are doing business,” he stated. 

While many markets in the country have for years been synonymous with congestion, filth and garbage, the Embu Modern Market provides proper sanitation and an office-like environment. 

“So it means the small scale traders have uplifted their standards. They are working in an environment just as somebody working in a bank has the same facilities as a person working in this place,” said Eng. Benard.

Noting that the project started in 2024, Eng Benard said that they are ahead of schedule, adding that the construction is 67 percent complete. “The project is supposed to be completed in 36 months so it means we are ahead of schedule,” he explained.

“Basically, the building has four levels. We have the lower, the basement three. That’s on the lower side, basement two basement one and now the ground floor,” he affirmed. 

“We are just on the finish of structural works which we are doing right now, beams and columns and everything. And also we are doing roofing. So it means we are remaining with finishes and civil works, he continued. 

Owing to the magnitude of work, Eng. Khaemba said that the project has provided employment for local youth citing the hiring of 500 skilled and unskilled labourers from the local community. 

“We are mainly using locals. The highest number we had was 500 people. But besides that, we have already employed more than just fundi’s and casuals because we also have the security team. We have those who are cooking for these workers who are also part of us,” he pointed out. 

He added that they have also hired a couple of youth who work in the local project office. “We are grateful to the government because these projects have created employment and nowadays, engineers are not tarmacking out there because they are quickly absorbed in the many government-funded projects.”

In addition, Eng. Benard said that cases of crime have reduced in the area because many youth are now fully engaged in nation building. He added that the project is going to spur economic growth and development by cushioning traders and farmers from losses.