Malindi traders to get newmodern markets

Small-scale traders in Malindi are poised for a significant economic uplift after the government announced plans to build three modern markets and refurbish existing facilities in the town.

The initiative aims to provide permanent, safe and organised trading spaces for hundreds of traders who have endured years of evictions and uncertainty.

It is jointly funded by the national government through the Department of Housing and the Kilifi county government.

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The new markets will be established at Jua Kali Ground in Shela, Soko la Kumbu, opposite the Malindi New Market, and at the Malindi Slaughterhouse.

Coast Housing director Anthony Ng’ang’a said the Jua Kali Ground facility will be a fully fledged commercial hub.

It will have 200 stalls, cold rooms for perishable goods, an ICT room to enable traders to market their products online and a conference room for meetings and training sessions.

Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi and Kilifi Trade executive Raymond Ngala announced the locations during the official handover of the Sh66.2 million Jua Kali Ground modern market site to contractor MMA and Sons Limited.

Construction is expected to begin in two weeks.

Mnyazi said the project underscores the government’s focus on grassroots economic empowerment.

“Today we are here to hand over the site to the contractor, to address any issues that may arise during construction, and to ensure traders are relocated to alternative areas where they can continue with their activities as they wait for completion,” she said.

Once completed, the modern market will offer hygienic and well-structured spaces for fish traders, vegetable vendors and Jua Kali artisans, many of whom have long operated under difficult conditions marked by frequent displacement.

Ngala said the county government will put in place temporary measures to support traders during the 10-month construction period.

“We will provide tents to offer shade during both the sunny and rainy seasons so that traders can continue with their daily activities as the construction works continue,” he said.

He encouraged traders to organise themselves into registered self-help groups and cooperatives to access the county’s Wezesha Fund, emphasising the importance of financial inclusion.

He cautioned that once the market is operational, only registered traders will be allowed to operate within the facility.

“No one will be allowed to trade outside or rent stalls to unknown people. This market is for genuine traders, and order must be maintained,” Ngala said.

Area MCA Twaher Abdulkarim welcomed the project, describing it as long overdue.

Traders drawn from the jua kali sector, fish trade and fresh produce vending also expressed happiness at the new project.

Abdulkarim termed the development a milestone for the area.

“This market is a lasting solution that will restore dignity, especially for women traders, fish sellers and jua kali artisans,” he said.

Karichwa Charo, chairperson of women traders, agreed.

“For many years we have been evicted, harassed and mistreated. This market gives us hope. I believe once it is completed, our problems will be solved permanently,” she said.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

The launch of modern markets in Malindi signals a deliberate shift toward formalising the informal sector and addressing long-standing challenges faced by small-scale traders. The project tackles chronic issues of evictions, insecurity and poor hygiene that have undermined trader productivity.