By Manuel Odeny

The Migori town main Marindi market should be completed by June as planned to ease congestion and flooding of river Migori, governor Ochillo Ayacko has said.

Started in 2015, the market has stalled ever since and plans to finish it has been a point of concern to over 10,000 traders who call the place home.

The market was constructed by Kenya National Highways Authority (KenHA) as part of multi-billion Kisumu-Sirare highway connecting Kenya and Tanzania.

Construction has stalled with traders complaining of lighting and drainage works.

On Friday, for a second time with a month, trade at Marindi market stalled as river Migori broke its banks flooding makeshift structures used by traders.

“This is the oldest, senior most and most populous market in Migori, and as planned we will have to ensure we finish it by June,” Ayacko said.

He spoke when he visited the traders on Friday.

Ayacko said he will ensure he contacts President William Ruto and as leaders they will ensure the ministry of Housing and Urban Development which was instructed to finish the project complies.

“We had set June as the deadline and the work was to include tarmacking of this ring road with the President set to open it officially,” the governor said.

Ayacko said Migori county government was touched by the loss of traders and on Saturday he will meet with the traders’ committee running the market and 22 sub sectors.

“We will work on restoring and ensuring the traders recoup their loses,” he said.

Mary Atieno, a trader said for the second week they have counted losses.

“We have lost millions and are shocked as the rains continue to pound the country,” she said.