Women in Construction: The women building Karugia Market

A little-known market tucked away on the scenic slopes of Murang’a County is quickly becoming the talk of the town.

Karugia Market may be trending, but not just because it was commissioned by President William Ruto under the Economic Stimulus Programme in early April 2025, or its proximity to the newly upgraded Michuki Polytechnic. The real story lies within the construction site itself, the women building Karugia Market.

When the story of Karugia Market’s impressive transformation is told, the spotlight will shine brightly on the remarkable women making it happen. Meet Mercy Kagweria, one of the women literally building the market from the ground up in her village.

Celebrated for its fertile land and the hard work that yields a bounty of agricultural produce, the county is now witnessing another powerful force at work: the skill and determination of women in construction.

“I have been working in this field, but this is my first project in Karugia. It is very rare to find women doing this kind of job, but we have to do it,” Mercy said.

“Since we were appreciated and welcomed here, actually we were encouraged, supported, and treated equally, there was no gender bias. Of course, a manual labourer won’t earn the same as a skilled worker; there is a difference but we keep pushing,” she explained.

For Mercy Kagweria, this project is deeply personal. With every wheelbarrow of sand pushed, every wall raised, and every beam lifted, she envisions more than just a marketplace. She sees a future built by women, for their communities, a future she is committed to nurturing through training, mentorship, and expanded opportunities.

“Of course, apart from getting paid, you get to learn a lot of things, like construction skills. Once the construction is finished, we will return to selling our farm produce; at least we will have somewhere modern to come to for our daily bread,” she passionately explained, referring to the market, which will feature, among other amenities, a cold room to reduce post-harvest losses.

“Having cold room storage for farm produce at the facility will ensure maximum profits. This is a single-phase project, it has not stalled. We will be using it soon. Looking from below, the roofing is about to be installed,” said Joseph Karanja, Secretary of the Kaihii Irrigation Project and a farmer, noting that farmers are eagerly anticipating the completion of the market.

Joseph Karanja, Secretary of the Kaihii Irrigation Project

“Actually, this is the first digital market I have seen, and it even has a library, so our children will benefit a lot from it. Apart from the library, we can sell our things online,” Mercy interjected, noting that the work she is doing is more than just the construction of market stalls.

“It is the story of women building economies and leaving an indelible mark on Karugia Market and beyond. We are laying the foundation for more women in construction to embrace the tools of the trade and shape Kenya’s evolving landscape.”

The Ksh.52 million market commissioned on April 3rd, 2025, by President William Ruto stands at the intersection of growth and a thriving circular economy. It serves farmers who depend on the consistent irrigation from the Kaihii and Nyanjigi projects, enabling year-round agricultural production. It will accommodate 200 traders in the digital stores inside and 100 outside.

“I  was there when it was commissioned, you know I had never seen the President that close before, only on TV. So that day,  when he came to the market I got a chance to see him up close at the construction site, and it was really exciting for me. I felt like I have contributed a lot to building this market and the dream of the Economic Stimulus Programme.”

The Ksh.52 million market, commissioned on April 3rd, 2025, by President William Ruto, stands as a symbol of progress, anchored at the crossroads of economic growth and a thriving circular economy. Designed to support farmers who rely on the reliable irrigation from the Kaihii and Nyanjigi projects, the market ensures year-round agricultural productivity.

Once fully operational, it will house 200 traders in the digital stalls within the market and accommodate another 100 vendors outside, creating space and opportunity for small businesses to flourish.

“I was there during the commissioning,” mercy alluded “I had never seen the President that close before, only on TV. So when he came to the market that day, and I saw him right at the construction site, it was incredibly exciting. I felt like I had played a part in making this dream a reality, contributing to both the market and the goals of the Economic Stimulus Programme.”

Murang’a County Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha described it as a snowball effect on the local economy, highlighting the cross-sector development sparked by the upgrading of Michuki Technical Training Institute to a national polytechnic.

“The linkage between the commissioned Kaihii Irrigation Project, the phase four infield connectivity of the Nyanjigi Irrigation Project, the market, and the national polytechnic is very clear. It is transforming this once-quiet trading centre into a 24-hour economy,” said Nkanatha. “With the expected intake of 9,000 more students, the population will grow significantly, and with it, the demand for goods, services, and consistent food production.”

“First of all, let me just say, this market is classic. It really is something else,” said Lucy Waithera Irungu, a committee member, as she unpacked some of its unique amenities. “It has so much inside.  There is an ICT hub, and even a crèche where the children of businesswomen can rest while their mothers work. Upstairs, there is a social hall, a kitchen, and a café, so if you get hungry, you just head up, grab a bite, then come back down and continue with your work.”

She went on to say, “On the ground floor, you will find digital stalls, dry storage, and a cold room. And what is really special is that the market is fully accessible, People Living with Disabilities can comfortably reach every floor. We are very happy because this is not just any market, it is modern, inclusive, and made with everyone in mind.”

Joseph Munjuru Karuge, another farmer who has been closely monitoring the project’s progress and is a beneficiary of the Nyanjigi

Irrigation Project, echoed similar sentiments, saying: "The connection between Karugia Market and the farmer is the cold room and market linkage to traders. Some of our farm produce goes to Makuyu town, some to Karugia Market, and some is even bought by traders from other parts of the country. But no one talks about the perishable farm produce that ends up rotting and going to waste. We are very happy about this market because we have heard it will have a cold room."

Ephantus Kamada Mwangi, another farmer under the Nyanjigi Irrigation Project, where phase four infield connectivity is nearing completion , added: "Therefore, all the produce we will be harvesting from our farms, we will bring here. If we don't sell it all, we can store it here and sell it another day. Also, the farmers in this area will benefit greatly because the farmers who sell here will also come to our farms to buy the things we have planted there."

In her parting shot, Mercy Kagweria called on more women to take up jobs in construction: "For my fellow ladies, I would like to tell them not to be picky about jobs. As long as it provides your daily bread and can sustain you, do it."

For the women building Karugia Market, it is more than just a construction project. It is another opportunity to create jobs, transform lives, and inspire more women to take their place in Kenya’s growing construction industry.