The new five-storey Githurai market in Ruiru constituency, Kiambu county, has received 12 active public Wi-Fi access points seven days after the official opening by President William Ruto.

The Wi-Fi access points with a capacity of serving more than 4,000 users at one time are meant to benefit the traders in the facility that was officially opened on August 5 by Ruto during his tour to the Mt Kenya region.
Speaking during an assessment tour at the market, ICT Authority chief executive Stanley Kamanguya noted that the public Wi-Fi will drive e-commerce and the digital economy.

At the same time, area MP Simon King’ara asked the more than 15,000 traders to remain calm, promising that they will get their rightful share in the allocation of the 1,500 market stalls in the building amid murmurs that there is a move by the Kiambu county government to bring in people from elsewhere.
The traders who are yet to move to the new market told the county government officials not to interfere with the allocation of the stalls.
King’ara told the traders to be patient particularly those who fail to be allocated stalls in the new building, adding that the government plans to construct a similar one next to it.

“This is Phase One of the project which can accommodate about 1,500 traders. The rest will continue to operate in the open market awaiting construction of Phase Two,” said the legislator.

King’ara downplayed the conflict between market traders and the county government, saying that he has reached out to Governor Kimani Wamatangi for an amicable solution.

The traders led by Githurai Pamoja Traders chairperson Peris Wambui had said they will not allow people to be brought from outside to occupy the market which they have fought to be actualised for seven years.