PS Charles Hinga Reports 70 Percent Progress on Hola ESP Market Construction

By John Kariuki

Principal Secretary for Housing and Urban Development, Charles Hinga, has announced significant progress on the construction of the Hola ESP Market in Galole Constituency, Tana River County. According to PS Hinga, the project has now reached 70 percent completion, marking a major milestone in the government’s efforts to transform local trading infrastructure and empower small-scale traders.

Speaking during a project inspection tour, PS Hinga highlighted the Hola ESP Market as a game-changer for the region. “This is more than a market; it is a deliberate investment in grassroots economic transformation. By providing traders with a dignified, secure, and well-organized space to conduct business, we are unlocking a wave of opportunities that will impact households and communities for years to come,” he said.

Even during its construction phase, the project is already benefiting the local economy. Numerous jobs have been created for area residents, directly boosting household incomes and stimulating other businesses within the surrounding area. The increased economic activity has enhanced vibrancy across Galole, with many enterprises experiencing growth from the ripple effects of the ongoing works.

Once complete, the Hola ESP Market will not only improve hygiene standards and enhance the overall business environment but also strengthen the entire value chain by attracting more buyers and investors. This will give traders a modern platform to expand their businesses, thereby improving livelihoods and promoting inclusive growth.

PS Hinga emphasized that this project is a key component of the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which prioritizes empowerment of small-scale traders, expansion of infrastructure, and sustainable economic development at the grassroots. “Markets like Hola ESP symbolize what BETA stands for—deliberate investment that changes lives from the ground up,” he noted.