The construction of Chuka Modern Market in Tharaka Nithi County which President William Ruto commissioned recently presented the local youth with life changing opportunities like skill development and economic growth.
Just like similar government infrastructure projects at various construction stages across the country, workers were hired from the local communities with the youth forming a bulk of the personnel.
During our tour of the project recently, we met Mike Wamunene, 22, who worked at the site from the beginning, witnessing first-hand how the architectural masterpiece evolved from the day the foundation station was laid one and a half years ago.
The facility is part of the broad plan by President Ruto’s administration transformation agenda, a multi-pronged approach to spur growth through small scale enterprises, and also create job opportunities for the youth.
“We have been working here for more than a year. One of the benefits is that this market project has created job opportunities especially for us, the youth,” he said, adding that the project saved the youth from falling into alcohol and substance.
“Before this project started many youth were into drug abuse because they were idle but many of them were hired and they are now useful members of the society,” he explained. “Some were employed here while others got jobs in the Affordable Housing Project,” he continued. He said crime rates reduced significantly since the levels of idleness went down.
Additionally, he said they also acquired various skills which will come in handy in the future. “For instance, if you want to be a mason, you will learn for about two to three months and they will have gained the skills of a mason,” he continued.
“Personally working here has benefited because from my wages I have been able to start a poultry business and also rearing pigs. So it will be better if there will be more projects like this since it is beneficial to many,” he affirmed.
“I am hopeful more projects will be launched to curb unemployment among youth,” he added.
For Emily Kendi, a resident of Chuka Town, the project presented an opportunity for young mothers in the area to put food on the table for their children, pay fees, bills and other household expenses.
“We have been working on this project since 2025. It has been very beneficial especially for mothers who were unemployed. We have been working here on a daily basis since the project started, helping us provide food and other things for our children,” Kendi said.
I want to thank President Ruto for initiating these projects. There are people saying he has not delivered but for us we know he is delivering because there are several projects here that were initiated by the President, she said, citing Modern Markets and Affordable Housing Projects.
“Many of the people working on this project have benefited because since working here they are able to provide for their families and educate their children. Those people who had gotten into drugs like alcohol are working and they have changed and are living a purposeful life,” she observed.
