Govt issues update on construction of Embu modern market

The Embu Modern Market project in Embu has progressed to an advanced stage, with the lower three floors now structurally complete. The government's Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo announced that the fourth floor, currently under construction, follows the completion of the lower floors. The four-storey facility aims to bolster Embu's standing as a critical agricultural hub by offering farmers dependable selling platforms for their crops and providing traders with modern, organized spaces to conduct their business.

The construction of the market commenced in October 2024 and is slated to house 2,144 stalls and 450 shops upon completion. This development aligns with the government's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which seeks to generate economic opportunities and enhance livelihoods through investments in infrastructure that supports small businesses and local commerce.

Omollo revealed on August 30, 2026, that formwork and columns are being installed for the fourth floor's deck as the lower floors are already structurally sound. The market will be a fully integrated commercial facility, equipped with ICT hubs, food courts, cargo lifts, goods ramps, garbage chutes, and various social and administrative facilities such as a crèche, dispensary, meeting rooms, and administrative offices.

Furthermore, it will feature over 30 accessible washrooms, aimed at fostering a safer, more efficient, and inclusive trading environment. This modern market is anticipated to offer farmers in Embu and the surrounding regions a more dependable market for their agricultural produce, potentially alleviating the difficulties associated with accessing organized trading spaces.

For traders, the facility will provide designated business premises and improve the handling and movement of goods through dedicated cargo lifts and goods ramps. The project is part of broader efforts to strengthen Embu's agricultural value chain, given its significant role in agricultural production, where farmers cultivate a variety of food and cash crops for both local and regional markets.

Implemented through a multi-agency approach involving the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration, the project underscores the government's dedication to delivering modern infrastructure that supports economic activity at the grassroots level. Upon completion, the four-storey market will bring together thousands of traders and customers within one facility, with the integrated amenities ensuring it is a safer and more accessible destination for business.