President Kenyatta visits Kongowea market with bag of goodies

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday made a surprise visit to Kongowea market with a host of promises for the traders.

The president, who is on an extended stay in Mombasa, shed off his guard to take a stroll in the market before addressing an elated crowd where he promised to revive the construction of the market that stalled in Mombasa in order to give the traders room to conduct business.

He further stated that he would work on uplifting the status of the market to ensure the traders are on the same level with their counterparts in other areas.

“I will ensure that construction resumes and by August, I will come here to open this building,” he said.

President Kenyatta also directed Cabinet Secretary for Public Service and Youth Affairs to send the National Youth Service (NYS) to clean up the market beginning next month to create a conducive environment for trade.

The cleanup, the president said, will include building of access roads and unblocking of drainage, as he called for the recruitment of youth to participate in the project.

Land grabbers were also put on notice, with the president saying he would ensure that a grabbed piece of land belonging to the market is reclaimed.

“Like your MP Awiti, I do not support the demolition of traders’ kiosks. I will ensure that grabbed pieces of land are repossessed and restored to its original use as part of the market,” vowed President Kenyatta.

The traders were also advised against engaging in divisive politics, with the Head of State urging them to shun tribal divisions and live in harmony.

“The Constitution gives every Kenyan the right to live and work in any part of the country,” President Kenyatta said.

Nyali MP Hezron Awiti, under whose constituency Kongowea market falls, was present during the visit.

President Kenyatta is in his third week at the Coast on a visit that has seen him hold meetings with leaders from the region and issue title deeds in Lamu and Mombasa.

Before his visit to Kongowea, President Kenyatta officially opened the English Point Marina, a Sh4.8 billion iconic landmark located in Nyali.

The 4-acre ocean view, multi-million dollar marina resort features a 26-room hotel, conferencing facility, a roof-top restaurant, a casino, swimming pool, 96 serviced apartments – including eight penthouses – seafront restaurant, gym and spa, as well as a boardwalk with retail outlets, water-sports centre and fully-serviced 88-berth marina.

By @benjaminwafula