Busia county begins construction of two markets

Through the State Department of Housing and Urban Planning, the national government, in partnership with Busia County, is building two new markets at Sh100 million to improve trading conditions for local merchants.

The markets in Aroma (Nasewa Sub-County) and Mungatsi (Nambale Constituency) will each receive an allocation of Sh50 million. Both projects are expected to be completed within six months.

During a ceremony on Monday to hand over the sites to contractors, Governor Paul Otuoma said the investment will bolster trade infrastructure and alleviate poverty.

“We have lacked proper business spaces, and poverty has been a significant challenge,” Governor Otuoma stated. “With Busia’s strategic position as a gateway to East and Central Africa, these markets will serve as a platform for business expansion and job creation.”

Governor Otuoma also urged local farmers to increase crop production, noting that the new markets will feature ICT hubs and internet connectivity, enabling traders to reach customers beyond their immediate locality.

“E-commerce is the future of trade. Let’s boost our food production and expand into online markets. It is entirely possible to secure customers from as far as the UAE,” he said.

Additionally, he called for unity among residents, urging them to set aside political differences and focus on economic development, particularly for young people who will benefit from employment opportunities during the construction phase.

“This is not the time for politics. We need to ensure that our youth get employment through this project,” he added.

Polycarp Onyango, Senior Director at the State Department of Housing and Urban Development, reinforced the government’s commitment to prioritizing local labor and suppliers for the project.

“The President has directed that those employed in these projects should be from the local community. Even suppliers must be sourced locally unless a skill or material is unavailable within the area. This is a core principle of the government’s bottom-up economic model,” Onyango said.

Nambale MP Geofry Mulanyi urged residents to increase farm production to ensure they have goods to sell once the markets are operational.

“Don’t let outsiders take the stalls because you have nothing to sell. The priority now is farming so that when the markets are ready, we have produce to trade. I encourage our youth to apply for loans and venture into business,” he said.

With these developments, Busia County is positioning itself as a key commercial hub, fostering both economic growth and job creation for its residents.