Traders heave sigh after bus terminus commission in Thika town
By Mathew.Ndungu, June 26, 2024
It’s a major sigh of relief for traders at Makongeni in Thika after the county government commissioned the main bus terminus ending years of its run-down status.
The governor Kimani Wamatangi-led administration opened the new terminus after construction works that included excavation, grading, backfilling, installation of cabro blocks on the sideways and establishment of modern sewerage and drainage systems were completed.
The modern facility which has given the populous village a new face has been fully tarmacked and the requisite solar lighting installed to facilitate a 24-hour working environment for traders.
Wamatangi said his administration will help the businesspersons operating at the park to finalize putting up modern kiosks which will be operated within the terminus. “We want to help those traders operating here put-up modern kiosks like the one you see there. The construction will be done at zero costs just to help you, our traders, to enjoy goodies from the government you elected.”
To transform Thika town into an industrious smart city, Wamatangi further announced that the local government will give Thika town’s main bus terminus a similar facelift for better operations by traders, especially those in the transport sector.
“We are also in the process of designing a better and a modern park to replace the Thika town one that is currently in a bad shape. We are doing all this because before I made a promise to residents of Thika in my manifesto that I would transform Thika into a smart city,” he said.
Traders and matatu operators expressed optimism the terminus will not only improve operations but will attract more investors and customers thereby creating opportunities.
Speaking to journalists, the traders reminisced the numerous challenges they have had to encounter operating at the dilapidated park.
They narrated that their operations would be stalled during heavy rains as the terminus would be overly muddy while customers would free the park during the sunny season due to clouds of dust. With the new look it has been accorded, the traders projected that their operations will be improved and more customers will be attracted to their businesses helping them earn better.