The County Government of Nairobi has announced that in order to boost business growth and revenue collection, it will focus more on rehabilitation of old markets.
There are 43 main markets in the county that attract thousands of traders and buyers.
The county government plans to tap into more than 150 minor markets as a way of creating more employment, encouraging entrepreneurship and targeting more revenue collection.
Late Next month, the county will unveil the new Kariokor Leather Market as promised by Governor Mike Sonko in April.
The Kariokor market will give city residents access to leather products at an affordable price.
Some of the markets near the Central Business District that the county targets for rehabilitation include Wakukima market, Gikomba market, Kenyatta market along Ngong road and the famous Burma market along Jogoo road.
According to Frederick Ndunyu, the County Director for markets, the county will also focus on the small markets in the estates.
“We have so many markets in the residential areas that need a facelift to attract more traders and consequently help the county collect more revenue,” Ndunyu said.
The County is estimated to have over 200 markets with around 50 of them active on a daily basis.
The county has been collecting close to Sh220 million as revenue from markets every financial year.
Governor Sonko said the county has the potential to collect Sh 400 million more from City Markets.