The closure of non-food and livestock markets in Bomet County to curb the spread of Covid-19 have led to the crowding of the markets in the neighboring Narok County.
The two main markets in Bomet County; Mulot Sun set and Chebunyo markets that border Narok have slowly shifted to the Narok side, boosting business in the county.
Chebunyo market borders Mamboleo market in Narok County, while Mulot Sun Set is a few kilometers from the Mulot market on the Narok side.
Governor Samuel Tunai while on a visit to Mamboleo market on Wednesday asked the residents to follow measures laid by the department of Health to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the markets.
“We want the residents to be vigilant to prevent the spread of covid-19 in this area. Kindly make sure that you always have the facemasks put the right way and clean your hands regularly to keep the disease at bay,” said Tunai.
He assured the residents that the government has boosted security in the region to ensure the business people continue with their work without any fear.
“We are planning to expand this market so that it can be the largest livestock market in the region and attract more people from the Nyanza and Western region, even the neighbouring country, Tanzania. I will start marketing it from today onwards,” said Tunai.
He said the location of the market is ideal because it is now connected with good road infrastructure and accessing it is easy.
“The new market will now be an economic changer for the locals and should be more hospitable to the new traders so that the market can continue to operate and expand,” he said.
The old market at Mulot in Narok used to be the largest market in the South Rift region, but was moved to the Bomet side in the year 2005 after the market officials disagreed with then officials of defunct Narok County Council.
Bomet County is among 13 counties listed as Covid hotspots and will continue operating under 7 pm to 4 am curfew until July 31 this year.
Other counties with restrictions include Busia, Vihiga, Kisii, Nyamira, Kakamega, Kericho, Bomet, Bungoma, Trans Nzoia, Kisumu, Siaya, Homa-Bay and Migori which have been accounting for 60 per cent of the national virus caseload.
Narok County has so far recorded 736 cases of Covid-19 with two persons being put in an isolation center at a health facility in Ololulunga.
A total of 11, 991 people have been vaccinated, 1,653 being health workers, 1,553 security officers, 1,442 teachers and 4,569 others.
By Ann Salaton
