Turkana County’s Department for Trade, Enterprises Development and Cooperative, in partnership with Livestock Market Association (LMA) has launched a sensitisation programme aimed at equipping local traders with knowledge and information about open-air markets across the county.
The trade team, led by its County Chief Officer Samuel Ekale visited markets in Kaikor in Kibish sub-county and Kakuma Livestock Market in Turkana West to sensitize the community about market practices that would enhance business opportunities in the region.
This comes after the Department Officers recently visited Katilia, Lokori, Napusmoru and Lokichar markets sensitizing traders on market days.
When addressing the traders in Kaikor and Kakuma, Ekale emphasised the importance of traders joining SACCOs and cooperatives to elevate their economic standards.
He encouraged traders to work together, focusing on business opportunities that would generate wealth and contribute to the local county’s revenue, which aligns with Governor’s 9-Point Agenda.
“As a department, our focus is to assess all potential market models across the county and revitalize dormant markets in remote areas to make them operational,” stated Ekale.
The CCO highlighted the county government’s vital role in improving market infrastructure through the construction of new stalls and market sheds, which would boost revenue collection.
He urged the community to embrace environmental conservation initiatives by planting trees in the market sale yards.
Ekale allso called on the communities to regulate livestock prices and discourage excessive pricing to attract more customers, and cautioned traders against middlemen who exploit livestock traders in the market.
Colette Loduk, a businesswoman from Kakuma asked the Department to utilize local media outlets to inform the community about the county calendar’s market days.
These efforts are aimed at promoting favourable business models that will enhance the economy of Turkana.
Loduk also requested support from the Trade Department to access the Biashara Fund and capacity building that would boost their businesses. She emphasized that the Biashara Fund wirh other funds the government provides would contribute to the Governor’s legacy in the greater Turkana North.
Sarah Etengan, chairperson of Kakuma Modern Market, raised concern about wholesalers who exploit local traders in the retail business, depriving them of their right to be retailers in the business chain.
She urged the Trade Office to crack down wholesalers operating both retail and wholesale businesses without a license.
Local traders also accused the Refugee Affairs Secretariat (RAS) Kakuma sub-office of interfering with their business by issuing permits for trucks laden with goods to access the refugee camp, thereby bypassing the designated market points.
The market day sensitisation programme was attended by representatives from Turkana North and Turkana West Livestock Market System (LMS), as well as Trade County Director James Lokwale, area chiefs, village administrators, and trade officers.
By Peter Gitonga
