By Abdimalik Hajir - Reporter
30 January 2026 - Livestock traders in Garissa County have every reason to smile following the government’s announcement of plans to construct a modern livestock market in the area.
The announcement was made after a multi-agency team from the State Departments of Livestock and Housing toured the existing livestock market, where they unveiled plans and modalities for the design and construction of a new facility.
The delegation, which included architects and consultants, held interactive sessions with traders, who shared their experiences, challenges and expectations.
The Garissa livestock market, located on the outskirts of Garissa town, is the largest in East and Central Africa. It attracts traders from neighbouring Somalia and Kenyan counties including Mandera, Wajir, Isiolo and Tana River.
Stephen Mutuko, a Livestock Production Officer from the State Department of Livestock, said the government was committed to improving the market and rolling out similar modern facilities across the country.
“The Principal Secretary sent us to visit this market to understand how it operates, assess the existing structures and explore ways of improving them in order to enhance the livelihoods of livestock keepers and strengthen the entire livestock sector,” Mutuko said.
He noted that Garissa was identified as a starting point due to the size and importance of its livestock market.
“This is one of the biggest markets in East and Central Africa. We identified it as a suitable place to begin so that we can learn from it and develop mechanisms for improving this market, with the aim of replicating the same across other counties,” he added.
Mutuko emphasized that since the majority of residents in the region depend on livestock keeping as their main source of income, improving livestock markets remains a key government priority.
“Our mandate as a State Department is to serve the interests of the people. Food security is a major concern, and since pastoralists rely heavily on livestock for their livelihoods, we want to begin with them,” he said.
Triza Okecha, also from the State Department of Livestock, said traders raised several concerns, key among them the lack of basic amenities.
“They want toilets and water made available at the market. They also spoke about the need for a perimeter wall and new structures where they can rest as they go about their businesses,” she said.
Mwal Mwaluko, an architect and Design Director from the State Department of Housing, disclosed that construction of the market is expected to begin in March and be completed by December.
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“We are almost concluding the designs for the market. We are working closely with consultants who have analysed the current setup so that we can develop a model livestock yard,” Mwaluko said.
He added that the project will be funded by the State Department of Housing and will include roofing, construction of offices and toilets, as well as designated yards for cows, goats, sheep and camels.
Mohamed Nunow, the chairman of the livestock market, decried the poor state of the facility, blaming years of neglect by both the national and county governments.
“This is the biggest market not only in the region but in East and Central Africa. Hundreds of thousands of traders and herders converge here to buy and sell livestock. Millions of shillings are generated in taxes, yet nothing has been done to improve it,” Nunow said.
He expressed concern that the market has operated for decades without a single toilet, terming it a sign of neglect and lack of responsibility.
“It would surprise you that there is no single toilet in the whole of this market. We are all forced to go to the neighborhoods to relieve ourselves. The situation is even worse when you have a stomachache,” he said.
Livestock trader Abdikadir Hussein urged the government to construct storage facilities and silos to support livestock brought to the market. He also called for increased support for fodder farming to cushion pastoralists against recurring drought.
“Drought is here to stay, and livestock production is the main economic activity in this region. The government must support farmers involved in fodder production,” he said.
Another trader, Abdisalan Abdullahi, blamed the government for inadequate financial support to the livestock sector and called for increased investment.
Abdullahi, who has been in the livestock trade for 25 years transporting animals from Dadaab Sub-county, said many animals die due to hunger and thirst during transportation and at the market.
“When you walk around this market, you will find carcasses of animals that died due to lack of food and water. This has been happening for years. The government needs to be serious for once,” he said.
