Sh41m livestock market tipped to stir Turkana economic development

A boy and other men herd their livestock at Katilu in Turkana County, a school-going day in January 31, 2014. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA

What you need to know:

  • The market is expected to benefit 10,873 households in a region where more than 60 percent of residents rely on pastoralism.

Livestock traders in Turkana County are upbeat as a Sh41 million market is set to open in Lodwar town.

The market, built by a US agency and which will be opened by Deputy President William Ruto, is expected to benefit 10,873 households in a region where more than 60 percent of residents rely on pastoralism.

Addressing journalists after a tour of the market on Tuesday morning, County Pastoral Economy Executive Chris Aletia said that United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was also constructing Kakuma livestock market that will be completed by next month to benefit 8,331 households including those along the border of Kenya and South Sudan.

"The two livestock markets will play a critical role in earning livestock keepers their livelihoods, stir economic growth in livestock value chain industry, creating wealth, employment and resilience of the community," said Mr Aletia.

He added that besides the markets, USAID Kenya Livestock Market Systems Activity that will also be launched to support the national government's Big Four Agenda as it is aligned to the Common Programme Framework for Ending Drought Emergencies in Kenya's arid and semi arid lands.

The county official said that before construction of the market traders lacked shades, proper marketing strategy, water for the livestock and there was no order.

"Now we have a livestock market association to manage the facility and ensure order. We have pasture stores and a veterinary unit to ensure the livestock are in good health, we have water troughs and shades," Mr Aletia said.

PAYE Tax Calculator

Note: The results are not exact but very close to the actual.