Lillian Wairimu, a Nyeri woman, joined the Field Marshall Muthoni Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) Market construction site in 2024 as a general labourer. She picked up masonry and broader construction skills, which she now considers a reliable fallback whenever work in her primary field dries up. Wairimu was one of very few women present on the site, a fact she hopes will shift as more development projects roll out across the country.
Wairimu's experience at the construction site has taught her the value of development projects beyond the physical structures they produce. She believes they serve as engines of employment, skill transfer, and improved household welfare for communities that need it most. Her message to idle Kenyans, especially the youth, was direct: people should come out and look for opportunities to work to build Kenya and earn a living.
The impact of development projects like the Field Marshall Muthoni ESP Market may not be understood by someone who is sitting at home, according to Wairimu. She also called on Kenyans to shift focus away from political noise and towards productive work. Wairimu thinks that politics comes and goes, but development remains, and what matters is the work that gives people an opportunity to improve their lives and contribute to the country's development.
Allan Gathige, who worked as a mason on the same site, described the project as a lifeline during a period when steady employment was difficult to come by. The income covered his rent, household expenses, and allowed him to extend support to his parents. Gathige added that the site exposed him to modern construction methods, sharpening his skills and giving him the confidence to pursue more complex projects in the future.
Gathige called on the government to sustain investment in development initiatives, noting that such spending creates tangible opportunities for young Kenyans while driving broader economic growth. The Field Marshall Muthoni ESP Market, once complete, is expected to provide a modern, organised trading environment for local traders in Nyeri, boosting commercial activity in the area.
For workers like Wairimu and Gathige, the project has already delivered its most immediate reward: income today and skills for tomorrow. Wairimu and Gathige's experiences demonstrate the positive impact of development projects on individuals and communities. The project has provided them with a new source of income and skills that they can use to improve their lives.
In related news, Nairobi County's market modernisation programme is also underway, with projects like South B and Gikomba nearing completion. The programme aims to upgrade 20 markets, providing traders with safer, more organised spaces and services such as baby-care centres and IT hubs.
Key points
- A Nyeri woman learned masonry skills at a construction site and now shares her experience.
- The project provided income and skills to workers like Lillian Wairimu and Allan Gathige.
- Development projects create employment, skill transfer, and improved household welfare for communities.
