Mothers trading at the Chuka open-air market in Tharaka-Nithi County can breathe a sigh of relief after the County government constructed a crèche for their babies within the market.

Young children and babies will have someone taking care of them at the facility as their mothers work. The nursery has been constructed inside the two-storey ultramodern market.

Mothers doing business at the market can now conveniently and comfortably attend to their babies without having to travel back home or employ a babysitter.

Ms Faith Kalunda, Chief Officer Lands and Infrastructure said the county government constructed the facility after realizing that most women in small-scale businesses quit after giving birth, making it almost impossible to resume after several months.

Uninterrupted

She said with the crèche, mothers will give birth and continue with their work uninterrupted because they will be able to attend to their babies while at work.

“Our mothers can now comfortably continue with their small businesses even after giving birth,” said Ms Kalunda.

The facility fitted with mattresses for the babies to sleep on, toys and other equipment required for baby care, accommodates 50 babies at a time.

The county government has also employed two caregivers who attend to the children from morning to evening.

Businesswomen with babies and especially those in the small-scale sector have been spending a lot of money employing baby sitters at their homes or paying private day-care centres.

Ms Lucy Makena, a mother, lauded the county government for the facility, noting that she has been paying Sh3,000 per month at private day-care.

“I am now working comfortably because I am closely monitoring my baby at the crèche,” said Ms Makena.

She said their children will now grow healthy because they can breastfeed them as recommended by nutritionists.

Ms Mary Kagendo, another trader, said that with their children near, fears of them being mistreated by nannies or being stolen are no more and that the mothers can now concentrate on their business.

Ms Mariam Kageni and Ms Mercy Murugi, the caregivers at the crèche said mothers are now working comfortably, adding that the babies are also comfortable because the facility is warm.