Residents of Tiaty Constituency have lauded Baringo County government for reopening Nginyang Livestock Auction Yard closed seven months ago saying the move will rejuvenate business activities and improve socio-economic conditions of the people.
The famous livestock market which used to see more than 2000 animals being sold per week was closed after the government launched security operation in the area to flush out cattle rustlers and bandits responsible for the loss of many lives and animals.
Speaking during the reopening ceremony jubilant residents led by Onesmus Locham expressed hope that businesses which had collapsed or remained dormant following the closure will be revived due to increased supply of commodities and incomes.
Local residents, he stated, who were forced to go without basic goods and services will henceforth be able to access various commodities like cereals, vegetables and other merchandise delivered by traders from outside the region.
“The community will benefit from basic commodities as opening of the market will ensure entry of various goods into the region,” he said.
He lamented that the residents had suffered a lot due to lack of food as roadblocks mounted along Loruk-Chemolingot road had frustrated traders from outside from delivering goods and services to major trading centres like Nginyang and Chemolingot, the sub county headquarters, resulting in acute shortage of essential commodities.
Locham noted with concern that the economy of the region whose mainstay is livestock keeping was at the brink of collapse following the move to close the only auction yard.
“Even Mogotio, Nakuru and Nairobi went without meat in the seven months the market was closed. Prices of meat also went up due to the closure of Nginyang livestock market,” said another local resident
According to County Executive Committee (CEC) for Trade and Industrialisation Clement Naduma revenue collection from the market reduced drastically to about Sh100, 000 a month due to the closure. Unlike previous periods where close to Sh2 million could be collected per week.
Naduma said Nginyang livestock Auction Yard which used to attract traders from major urban towns like Nairobi, Nakuru and even Eldoret in a normal day around 2,500 goats and 300 cows could be sold.
“The county government revenue collection has reduced to around Sh100, 000 per month as compared to previous amount estimated to be over Sh1 million shillings on weekly basis,” he said.
The residents who could not hide their joy with the reopening of the market also urged the national government to remove the road blocks along Loruk-Chemolingot-Barpello highway to ease movement of people and goods into the region currently experiencing severe drought.
They maintained that there was no need for road blocks since security has improved greatly following deployment of many security officers in the area. Among the animals being traded at the Nginyang market include cows, goats, sheep, donkeys and camels.
By Stanley Kitilit and Joshua Kibet
