Introduction
Located in the Eastern region of Kenya, Meru County flourishes as a vibrant hub of agricultural abundance. The County is known for its rich produce of both food and cash crops. Miraa, a stimulant crop, has a market that has grown significantly over time despite facing various challenges. The main food crops produced in Meru include maize, beans, potatoes, and bananas. Farmers in Meru County sell their products through different channels, including direct sales to traders and local markets. Most of these produces end up at the local markets for retail.
The County's agricultural success has led to substantial growth in the trading sector. According to the Meru County Integrated Development Plan (2018-2022), the County has over 1,000 traders who sell their products across 10 fresh produce markets, with a combined capacity of 500 stalls, though the recommended capacity is 700 stalls (Meru County Department of Trade, 2019). This trader population increased significantly to 1,500 by 2020 (Meru County Economic Survey Report, 2021), creating significant pressure on the existing market infrastructure.
Market planning and development has been a critical challenge for Meru County's administration. With limited market capacity and growing trader numbers, market congestion became inevitable. Among the various markets in the County, Makutano market emerged as a focal point of these challenges, serving as a central hub for agricultural trade in the region.
The Challenge
The infrastructure limitations led many traders to establish informal selling points along roadsides. This created multiple problems for the community, including traffic congestion and safety hazards. The County faced challenges in maintaining orderly commerce, with roadside selling creating unclean and unsafe spaces throughout commercial areas. Traders working in these conditions reported difficulties related to exposure to weather elements such as rain and dust.
From the consumer perspective, the congested roadside trading environment created safety concerns. The crowded spaces became hotspots for petty theft, while the lack of designated parking areas made shopping inconvenient. Inside the official markets, stall owners faced their own challenges. They complained about the deteriorating condition of market facilities and found themselves in constant conflict with roadside traders who effectively blocked customer access to the formal market spaces. These roadside vendors often offered products at lower prices by avoiding government fees and taxes, creating unfair competition.
Despite the County's efforts to construct additional market stalls, the problem persisted as many traders continued to prefer roadside operations due to better visibility and customer access.
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