Through the Kenya Livestock Commercialization Project, Nakuru County is rehabilitating Banita Market, a significant facility for livestock farmers in Soin, Rongai Sub-county, to enhance the marketing of livestock and livestock products.
The project coordinator Dr. Jane Waititu accompanied by officials from the department and project management committee assessed the progress of the works which includes the improvement of the sales yard with an auction ring, water troughs, rehabilitation of the rehabilitation pens and loading ramps for the cattle, sheep and goats sections, and improved water harvesting works, butchery and eateries.
The rehabilitation will cost Ksh. 14.8 million, which, after completion is expected to increase the economic activities of the community members in the area.
Dr. Waititu said that the renovation aims to provide a more favourable environment for community members and traders to sell their livestock, ultimately boosting the incomes of small-scale farmers and improving food and nutrition security in rural areas.
Additionally, the team received a team from the National Project Management Coordinating Unit, who came to assess the feasibility of the proposed slaughterhouse construction at the market.
The slaughterhouse will help the livestock farmers have the slaughtering service closer to them since they travel to Mogotio, Kisenana, or Maili Kumi
The project aims to increase income for livestock and pastoralist households and food and nutrition security, focusing on goat, sheep, apiculture, poultry, and dairy goat value chains in the county.
