By Robert Mutasi 
Small-scale traders and business operators across Uasin Gishu County have received a major reprieve after the county government extended the deadline for market space applications by three days following what officials have termed an unprecedented surge in demand.
In a public notice issued by the Directorate of Trade and Enterprise Development under the Department of Trade, Investment, Industrialisation, Tourism, Cooperatives and Enterprise Development, the county announced that the application window has been extended from Wednesday, September 16th to Friday, September 18th, 2026.
The extension comes at a critical time when thousands of traders in Eldoret and its environs have been scrambling to secure formal trading spaces. The initial deadline had been set for September 14, but long queues and a flood of online applications prompted the county to act.
According to the county, the allocation drive targets five major Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) markets spread across the county. These are:
64 Iconic Market in Eldoret Central Business District
Kapseret Market
Ainabkoi Market
Kesses Market
Matharu Market
The initiative is at the heart of Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim’s Nguzo Kumi (Ten-Pillar) development agenda, which prioritizes economic empowerment, job creation, and modern commercial infrastructure both in Eldoret City and in rural sub-counties.
The crown jewel of the project is the multi-storey 64 Ultra-Modern Market in Eldoret CBD. Built in partnership with the National Government under the Affordable Housing and Urban Development programme, the multi-billion-shilling facility is designed to accommodate over 4,000 traders once fully operational. The market is expected to decongest Eldoret town, end years of complaints over street hawking and exposure to harsh weather, and provide traders with dignified, modern facilities.
Similarly, the four other markets in Kapseret, Ainabkoi, Kesses and Matharu are being positioned as decentralized economic hubs aimed at linking farmers directly to buyers and giving retail vendors access to formal, clean, and secure trading spaces.
The county has directed interested traders to apply digitally by scanning the official QR code provided on the public notice posters circulated both online and at sub-county offices.
For inquiries or technical assistance, applicants have been advised to contact the Department of Trade via email at trade@uasingishu.go.ke. Officials have cautioned traders against waiting until the last minute, warning that the portal will automatically close at 5 PM on Friday and no further extensions will be considered.
Successful applicants will have their names published on market notice boards, in what the county says will be a transparent and fair allocation process.
Michael Karemi