President Ruto defends Gikomba market upgrade, warns against politicisation

President William Ruto has told off leaders politicising the modernisation of Nairobi's Gikomba Market.

The President said the government has begun the rebuilding of the market into a modern facility to provide a decent and dignified workplace for close to 5,000 traders in the first phase.

He explained that he had met the leadership of Gikomba Market, who had requested the government to build a modern facility, saying they had for long worked in a congested environment that was prone to fires.

President Ruto pointed out that the modernisation of the market is part of a national programme in which the government is building 450 modern markets across the country.

Addressing 5,000 members of the Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organisation at State House Nairobi on Wednesday, the President said modernisation of Gikomba Market will improve safety and infrastructure that will provide a good work environment that supports traders and customers.

"Leaders should keep politics out of Gikomba Market. We want to build a  modern market because traders have, for a long time, suffered losses due to fires and rains," he said.

At the same time, the President commended the role of women in the country’s development, saying they are critical agents of economic growth and social change.

He urged women to unite and actively participate in both economic development and political leadership.

President Ruto pointed out that national savings have increased substantially since 2023. He said the implementation of a new structure has raised savings from Ksh.312 billion to Ksh.670 billion two and a half years.

"In three years alone, we have doubled what the country had saved through the National Social Security Fund in 60 years. As a country, we must take charge of our own destiny," the President said.

He explained that, with more savings, Kenya will be able to rely on its own national resources to implement national programmes instead of depending on borrowed financing.

On agriculture, the President said the government has invested in the sector through subsidised fertiliser and inputs, and eliminated cartels that had frustrated farmers in the tea, coffee and sugar sectors.

He also pointed out that the government has  registered 7.2 million farmers on a digital platform, providing the government with useful data on the crops grown, livestock kept, acreage and fertiliser requirements.

"As a result, we have boosted food production and increased farmers' incomes. For example, sugar farmers are paid every seven days while coffee prices have increased from Ksh.50 to Ksh.70 a kilo to between Ksh.120 and Ksh.150," he explained.

Explaining that jobs have to be planned through deliberate and intentional programmes, President Ruto said affordable housing, digital jobs, NYOTA project, and overseas employment have created many opportunities for young people.

In housing, he pointed out that 640,000 people are working as engineers, architects, quantity surveyors, plumbers, electricians, masons, carpenters, and other opportunities in the attendant value chains.

He also pointed out that the government is expanding opportunities for digital jobs and overseas employment.

The President said the government has stabilised the economy, and pointed out that Kenya is now on a sound economic footing and trajectory.

To transform the agricultural sector and improve farmers lives, President Ruto pointed out that the government has reduced the price of fertiliser from Ksh.7,000 to Ksh.2,500.

Meanwhile, President Ruto told the members of Maendeleo ya Wanawake to fight tribalism and hatred, and unite the country.

"Women are well-placed to unite this country and discourage the politics of tribalism, hatred and seclusion," he said.

He asked his critics to present their agenda to the country instead of engaging in propaganda and insults, and stirring ethnic emotions and insults.

He announced that Ksh.250 million will be injected into the Maendeleo ya Wanawake Sacco so that more women can borrow money for economic activity.

On the two-third gender rule representation of women in elective positions, the President assured the membership of the organisation that the government was working closely with Parliament in addressing the matter.

President Ruto also urged the women to help the government in the fight against alcohol and drug abuse.

"Help us fight this menace. We are progressing well in the fight against alcohol and drug abuse through the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse," he said.

First Lady Rachael Ruto credited the country's sustainable food security to a combination of national prayers and government interventions.

She also urged women to pray for the country so that peace can prevail across the country.

Lands and Housing Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome urged the President to address the two-thirds gender rule that requires a change of the Constitution so that more women can be elected to political office.

On the Affordable Housing Programme, she explained that decent homes, hostels for college and university students, and modern markets were transforming the lives of women and families across the country.

Others who addressed the meeting included Cabinet Secretaries Hanna Cheptumo (Gender), Soipan Tuya (Defence), and Rebecca Miano (Tourism), Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organisation Chairperson Rahab Mwikali, and former MP Beth Mugo, who is the patron of the group, among others.