Garissa’s Soko Mugdi Market traders get Sh23.5 million lifeline after June fire
A fundraiser led by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on Sunday raised Sh23.5 million to support more than 4,000 small-scale traders affected by the inferno.
Traders at Garissa’s Soko Mugdi Market have received a major financial boost after a fire on June 30, 2025, destroyed the facility and left thousands counting losses.
A fundraiser led by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on Sunday raised Sh23.5 million to support more than 4,000 small-scale traders affected by the inferno.
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Speaking during the event in Garissa town, Kindiki said the initiative aligns with the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which focuses on empowering grassroots enterprises.
“This initiative is part of our commitment to rebuild the economy from the bottom up. The President made a promise to stand with small-scale traders, and he has contributed personally to ensure you are back on your feet,” said Kindiki.
Remain resilient
He urged traders to remain resilient despite the market’s repeated misfortunes and announced plans for the construction of a modern market to replace the one destroyed by fire.
The Deputy President praised Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, a former Garissa Township MP, and area MP Dekow Mohamed Barrow for spearheading resource mobilisation. He also acknowledged other regional leaders, including Eldas MP Adan Keynan, who called for transparency and fairness in distributing the raised funds.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki inspects ongoing construction works on the Lamu–Ijara–Masalani–Garissa–Isiolo road corridor during his development tour of Garissa County. (Photo: Issa Hussein)
Kindiki also addressed rising maternal mortality rates, following concerns raised by CS Duale about the growing number of deaths among mothers seeking hospital deliveries.
“It is deeply troubling that mothers who go to hospitals for safe delivery are dying. This must come to an end,” said Aden.
Kindiki assured that the government is investing in healthcare infrastructure, particularly in underserved areas, to reduce such deaths.
Infrastructure projects
Earlier, the Deputy President inspected several ongoing infrastructure projects in the region, including the Sh1.7 billion Tana River Bridge, now 55 per cent complete and scheduled for handover in December 2025.
He also visited the Garissa Airstrip, which is under upgrade, and toured the Sh28 billion Lamu–Masalani–Ijara–Garissa–Isiolo road corridor, where 89 kilometres have already been completed.
Additionally, he announced that construction of the 370-kilometre Garissa–Dadaab–Liboi–Harhar road, valued at Sh29 billion, will begin soon following the completion of design work.
During the fundraiser, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah and other leaders reaffirmed support for the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Ichung’wah urged residents to reject divisive politics and back President William Ruto’s development agenda for Northern Kenya, noting that ongoing investments in infrastructure and trade will unlock the region’s economic potential.
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