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Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki on Wednesday (April 4th) urged the government to adapt local by-laws to help promote small traders, Kenya's Daily Nation reported.

Public institutions should work together to improve the lives of citizens, the president said at the official launch of the new Kamukunji Market in Nyeri. The market, built by the government at a cost of 223 million shillings ($2.6 million), has 500 stalls for small businesses, a cafeteria and ablution block.

The market was built following collaboration among the Ministry of Housing, the Kenya Slum Upgrading Programme and the Nyeri Municipal Council.

Kibaki said the new market serves as a link between marketing produce and promoting economic growth in Nyeri. The facility brings vendors off the streets and under one roof, providing a well-organised operating environment, he said.

Kibaki encouraged other government agencies to emulate such partnerships to enhance the provision of essential services to the public. He said such reforms would ensure that rural areas experience growth and attract increased investments, to eventually transition Kenya's agriculture sector from a subsistence system to commercial and mechanised ventures.