Residents and traders in Kondele, Kisumu, have welcomed the establishment of a police station at the market, saying the facility will improve security, protect businesses and support economic growth in the area.
The police station was delivered through the efforts of PS Raymond Omollo, drawing praise from residents who said the project addresses a long-standing need for enhanced security at one of the region’s busiest trading centers.
One resident said the facility would improve safety for traders and customers operating in the market.
“We are very happy because security is very important. When security is available, businesses can thrive and people can work without fear,” the resident said.
Another resident said the presence of a police station would help reduce crime and encourage more investment in the area.
“If there is security, investors can come and do business here. We believe this police station will help our market grow,” the resident said.
Kondele Market Traders Praise PS Omollo
Isaiah Ojwang, a trader at the market, noted that traders have for years operated without a nearby police facility, making it difficult to respond quickly to security incidents.
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Several speakers linked security to development, saying the new facility would strengthen business activities and improve confidence among traders.
“When people feel secure, they come to buy and sell. That helps everyone in the market. We have been needing a police station for a long time. We appreciate that now we have one close to the market,” Evelyne Auma, another resident, said.
The project was also welcomed as a step toward strengthening community policing and cooperation between residents and law enforcement officers.
Residents said the police station will provide a permanent security presence within the market and surrounding neighbourhoods, enabling officers to respond more effectively to cases affecting traders and members of the public.
Some traders said improved security would help protect their goods and create a better working environment.
“We are happy because our businesses need protection. Security is important for every trader. We appreciate him for remembering the people of Kondele and helping us get this facility,” one market trader said.
Others thanked PS Raymond Omolo for supporting development projects in the area and responding to concerns raised by local residents.
PS Omollo on His Connection With Kondele
Addressing residents, PS Raymond Omollo spoke about his personal connection to Kondele, recalling that his mother conducted business in the market.
“In this Kondele, my mother sold her wares there. She was a second-hand dealer, trader in clothes, used clothes, mtumba. And she also did many, many other businesses here in Kondele,” he said.
He said the experience shaped his understanding of the challenges small-scale traders face and informed his commitment to supporting livelihoods in the region.
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PS Raymond Omollo said he takes pride in his roots and his connection to the community.
“I am a son of Kondele. I am a son of Kisumu. And I am a son of this region,” he said.
The facility adds to ongoing efforts to support traders, strengthen security, and improve services for Kondele residents.
Community members said they expect the station to play a key role in protecting businesses and maintaining order as commercial activities continue to grow in the area.
Kondele Market has faced repeated disruptions linked to street demonstrations, with traders reporting vandalism, damaged businesses and loss of stock.
The recurring disruption has made security a major concern for traders, who need a safe, predictable environment to protect their goods, serve customers, and keep businesses running with greater confidence and stability.
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