Governor Kimani Wamatangi has pledged to step up development projects in Ngecha-Tigoni Ward, promising residents modern trading stalls, improved market facilities and expanded opportunities for young people to acquire technical and vocational skills.
Speaking during a public engagement with residents in the ward, Mr Wamatangi said his administration was keen to transform trading centres into organised commercial hubs where small-scale traders could operate in dignified and secure environments.
The governor said the county would construct modern kiosks and stalls to replace old structures, arguing that traders should not have to live under constant fear of eviction or disruption of their businesses.
He cited the development of modern market stalls and transport facilities in other parts of the county as examples of what his administration intends to replicate in Ngecha-Tigoni.
“I have built nice, modern stalls. That is how we will do things at the junction, so that the junction is good and the town is good,” Mr Wamatangi said.
He said the facilities would be designed to accommodate traders operating at the centres, including women and men running small businesses, while also improving the general appearance and functionality of the trading centres.
The governor said market infrastructure should go hand in hand with proper planning of public transport facilities to ensure that commuters, traders and motorists can use the centres without unnecessary congestion.
He pointed to investments made at other bus stages, where modern stalls have been constructed alongside improved passenger facilities, saying similar interventions could help transform local trading centres in Limuru.
Mr Wamatangi also placed strong emphasis on technical and vocational education, urging young people who do not secure university places to consider skills training as an alternative route to employment and entrepreneurship.
He said the county had invested in a polytechnic to provide young people with practical skills that can enable them to earn a living instead of remaining idle.
The governor said the facility would provide opportunities for young men and women to train in areas such as hairdressing, beauty and make-up, cooking and other practical trades.
He challenged parents and young people to abandon the perception that university education is the only path to success.
“Someone who has not managed to go to university can go there to learn manual skills. There is no one who cannot learn things,” he said.
Mr Wamatangi said the objective was to ensure young people had practical skills that could translate into employment, self-employment and sustainable livelihoods.
The remarks come amid growing emphasis on technical and vocational education as a tool for tackling youth unemployment and creating a workforce equipped for the changing economy.
The governor also used the engagement to highlight what he described as the progress made by his administration across the county, saying residents should assess his performance through completed projects and their impact on communities.
He said development projects were increasingly moving from planning stages to completion, giving residents tangible infrastructure and services.
Mr Wamatangi urged residents to recognise the gains made while also supporting efforts to complete ongoing projects.
He said his administration remained committed to working with residents to identify local priorities and channel resources towards projects that directly improve livelihoods.
“We have built a lot, thanks to our hard work. These things are moving forward because now I see the work being done and finished,” he said.
The governor also appealed to residents to maintain unity and continue working with the county government as it implements its development agenda.
During the engagement, Mr Wamatangi invoked the importance of faith, gratitude and resilience, urging residents to appreciate the progress they have made despite the challenges facing households.
He encouraged residents to count their blessings and remain hopeful, saying communities should not lose sight of the positive developments around them because of the difficulties they face.
The governor’s message blended the development agenda with an appeal for unity, gratitude and collective responsibility as the county pushes ahead with its programmes.
He said the administration would continue engaging residents directly to understand their concerns and ensure development projects respond to local needs.
The Ngecha-Tigoni engagement formed part of the governor’s continued grassroots interactions with residents, during which he has been assessing ongoing projects, listening to local concerns and outlining his administration’s priorities.
Mr Wamatangi said the county’s development agenda would continue to focus on infrastructure, economic empowerment, skills development and improved public facilities, with the ultimate goal of creating better livelihoods for residents.
He also appeared to seek residents’ continued political support for his leadership, with his supporters urging him to seek another term in office and pointing to projects implemented during his tenure.
The governor said the progress made so far should be measured by the projects completed and the opportunities created for residents, while pledging to maintain the momentum in the remaining period of his administration.
