Turkana County has introduced market days in Lokichar, Lodwar, Kakuma and Lokiriama intending to improve market access and trade for economic empowerment of the business community in Turkana County and neighbouring regions. The market days will be Tuesday in Kakuma, Thursday in Lodwar and Saturday in Lokichar and Lokiriama.
Addressing traders and members of the public at Lodwar Livestock Market in a ceremony to launch the market days, Deputy Governor Peter Lotethiro said that market days would stimulate the economy of the county by attracting a large number of businesspeople from Turkana and other counties and thereby boost trade. He called on traders to expand their businesses by applying for loans, such as the Biashara Fund which is under the County Department of Trade. DG Lotethiro said the loans would offer an extra capital for traders to explore untapped business ventures that are available within and outside Turkana. He stated that investment in businesses would present opportunities to youth thereby help reduce unemployment. He also said that the County Government will consult with the County assembly to harmonize taxes and charges for business, to create a conducive and sustainable business environment for investment.
On food security, DG Lotethiro said that the County Government had opted for technology through mechanized farming that would increase crop production not only for household consumption but also produce a surplus for sale.
He thanked stakeholders who supported in establishing the market days and assured of the County Government readiness to collaborate through a public-private partnership, to invest in livelihoods programs that would better lives of residents of Turkana. The market days launch has been jointly supported by National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP), USAID, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce (KNCCI), Regional Pastoral Livelihoods Resilience Project (RPLRP) and County Livestock Marketing Council.
County Executive for Agriculture, Pastoral Economy and Fisheries Chris Aletia announced that the Veterinary Department had procured enough vaccines to treat livestock and control spread of diseases to reduce deaths. This he said will be achieved through regular treatment and monitoring through using e-surveillance.
On her part, County Trade, Gender and Youth Affairs Executive Jenipher Nawoi said that the ministry has invested in market infrastructure to support the business community.
