Mombasa County Commissioner Maalim Mohammed invalidated claims that the National government and the Mombasa County government are at war over who should take credit for the renovation of Kongowea market.
The re-opening of the market is scheduled on next month by President Uhuru Kenyatta with reports claiming that Mombasa Governor, Hassan Joho is planning to “hijack the opening”.
According to Maalim, the project was initiated by the National government through the Economic Stimulus Programme but it stalled but when President Uhuru toured the market last January he promised to revive it.
“I want those spreading the rumours to stop. The two governments are working together contrary to what has been speculated. Our ultimate goal is to give timely and quality services to Kenyans,’’ he said addressing the media after an inspection tour accompanied by the market committee officials and the Nyali sub-county security committee.
Maalim also noted that the multi-million shillings project is 90 per cent complete. Both leaders have separately allegedly ordered their men to take charge and speed up the renovation of the market that accommodates more than 10,000 traders — a crucial vote bloc that cannot be ignored.
“The county government is doing the renovation and painting of one section of the market while the National government is building the new stalls,”said Maalim.
Once complete, more than 1,500 trading spaces for Small and Medium Enterprise traders will be created and this will be a boost to traders.