‘My Mother Was a Trader Here’: Raymond Omollo Reveals His Deep Roots in Kondele

Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo has spoken about his personal connection to Kondele Market in Kisumu, recalling how his mother once conducted business in the area as he joined other leaders in visiting traders to show support for their businesses.

Omollo said he has strong ties to Kondele, explaining that his family’s connection to the market dates back to the time when his mother sold second-hand clothes in the area. He noted that she was among the traders who helped make a living through small-scale businesses in the market.

Speaking during the visit, the Principal Secretary said his background gives him a personal reason to identify with the business community and appreciate the challenges faced by traders.

“I can proudly associate myself with Kondele,” Omollo said, adding that his mother used to send merchandise to the market.

He further explained that his mother was involved in the mitumba trade and had also participated in other business activities within the area. Her experience, he suggested, helped shape his appreciation of the role played by small businesses in supporting families and sustaining local economies.

Omollo’s remarks came as he and several other leaders visited Kondele Market in an engagement aimed at supporting and empowering traders. The visit provided an opportunity to interact with business owners and recognise their contribution to the local economy.

Markets such as Kondele provide livelihoods for many families, with traders relying on daily sales to meet household needs, pay school fees and support other responsibilities. Small-scale businesses also play an important role in supplying affordable goods and services to residents.

For Omollo, the visit was more than an official engagement. His recollection of his mother’s business activities highlighted the personal connection he has with the traders and the community.

His remarks also drew attention to the importance of recognising the contribution of people who operate small businesses, including those in the second-hand clothing trade. Many traders in this sector depend on the market to earn an income and support their families.

The visit by Omollo and the other leaders offered an opportunity to engage with traders and demonstrate support for their work. However, further details on specific interventions, financial assistance or commitments made during the visit were not provided in the available report.

Omollo’s message centred on his roots in Kondele and his desire to identify with a business community that was part of his family’s history. By recalling his mother’s experience as a trader, he highlighted the personal significance of supporting local businesses and acknowledging the people whose work keeps markets active.

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