ELGEYO MARAKET, Kenya – Livestock trade is expected to thrive in Elgeyo Marakwet County after the Kenya Livestock Commercialisation Project (KeLCop) moved to transform the business venture.
Y News understands that KeLCop is currently rehabilitating the Kipcheptem Sale Yard project in Soy North Ward.
The facility that is currently transforming will bring along with it its modern facilities, job opportunities, and better market security to Elgeyo Marakwet.
According to Sally Kandie, the secretary of the Kipcheptem Sale Yard Management Committee, they previously requested a civilian to allocate them a parcel of land where they could sell the livestock.
“So, we started selling livestock from that land, but it was not worth it since it was adjacent to the main road. So, we requested another piece of land from the former municipal council, and they agreed by allocating us land down here,” said Kandie.
When did the Kipcheptem Sale Yard start operations
It is at the current location where they started the market around 30 years ago, before the KeLCop came through.
“After the municipal council gave us land, we faced many challenges; for instance, we had a temporary fence made from timber, so sometimes the animals would easily escape. Also, there was an outbreak of pests and diseases. Sometimes a farmer would bring sick animals and sell them to us. Thirdly, there was the issue of the theft of livestock. Sometimes, some people would steal livestock from other farmers and bring them to the market, never to be found again after getting paid,” explained Kandie.
With a focus on empowering women and youth, Y News knows that KeLCop seeks to increase the incomes of 110,000 low-income pastoralist and livestock-keeping households.
The project’s methodology places a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability. To improve livelihoods, this calls for a multifaceted approach that includes improved productivity, market access, and sustainable resource management.
Interventions, including better animal health, breeding initiatives, financing availability, and best practices training, are probably included.
How KeLCop has improved the Kipcheptem Sale Yard
Effective implementation and monitoring are essential to the project’s success to guarantee both environmental preservation and a fair distribution of benefits.
Kandie also noted that they didn’t have water at the market, which was a major concern for both the farmers and the animals.
“But when KeLCop came, we warmly welcomed them because we desperately needed a market. From then, the market project is still ongoing, and we are hopeful that upon completion, there will be no longer theft of animals since everyone coming to sell their livestock will be required to produce their national identity cards before being issued with a receipt,” added Kandie.
On the issue of pests and diseases, Kandie disclosed that the market will have a veterinary doctor at the gate.
“We also have two agrovets that have been constructed here, which will house veterinary doctors who will assess the health condition of the livestock; those that will be found to be sick will be sent back, but the healthy ones will be taken to the sale yard,” said Kandie.
Why online livestock marketing is the next frontier
She also observed that they now have a strong fence, which means that no animal can escape and no thief can get inside the market.
“We also have enough water tanks. And at the saleyard, there will be sections for the buyers and sellers, so there will be no mixing of animals. We are also going to engage the county government to look at how they can reduce the amount of money we pay in terms of revenue so that we can maintain the market and make sure it’s in stable condition,” Kandie explained.
Also, as a committee, Kandie reiterated that they expect that in the next two to three years, they can go into online marketing.
“We plan to invite the president to officially open the market so that it can be like that in Kimalel, Baringo County, and by doing so, we shall go places,” stated Kandie.
Principal Secretary of the State Department for Livestock Development Jonathan Mueke observed that with plans to venture into online livestock marketing, the future looks even brighter for farmers and traders.
