Kisumu is set to embark on urban renewal programme, with the planned Sh3.5 billion redevelopment of Kibuye market expected to strengthen city's position as a regional commercial hub.
Kisumu City Manager Abala Wanga said the proposed Kibuye Regional Market had reached the tendering stage, with construction expected to commence once the procurement process is completed.
The project is being financed by the national government through the State Department for Housing and Urban Development.
This is contrary to claims circulating on social media that the county was using World Bank funds for the redevelopment.
He noted that the county government was not using any World Bank money to build any market.
“The funds being used are from the national government through the state department,” Wanga said.
The proposed facility will comprise three mega-storeys and will be partly modelled on modern markets in Cape Town, South Africa.
Wanga said the project could soon be launched by President William Ruto and Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o once the tendering process is concluded.
He described Kibuye as more than a city market, saying its trading network stretches across the Lake Victoria Basin and into neighbouring Uganda.
Trucks begin arriving as early as 3am with onions and watermelons from Uganda, bananas from Kisii and maize from Trans Nzoia. Farmers from Kericho and Nandi also supply produce to the market.
“Kibuye is the market that will improve the economic standards of Kisumu,” Wanga said.
The market redevelopment is part of a wider programme that the city administration says is aimed at addressing infrastructure and safety challenges facing Kisumu.
The city is also seeking to expand solar-powered street lighting to cover about 98 per cent of the city.
The system is expected to be integrated with CCTV cameras and an artificial intelligence-powered command centre.
The administration says the system will improve surveillance and allow the city to remain active and secure beyond daytime business hours.
