Livestock traders at Suswa, Narok East Sub County, have lamented over the decreased sale of livestock due to the ongoing drought in the country.
Led by their chairman Stephen Kalembe, the traders urged the County Government to increase the number of weekly market days to two to increase business hours.
Kalembe said more than 2,000 cows are brought to the market every market day, but less than half are sold.
This has left traders frustrated as they have to trek long distances to and from the market.
Kalembe said the price of cattle has decreased by over 50 percent due to a lack of demand.
Elijah Ole Koilel, a trader, said the idea to have two market days was arrived at after a stakeholders’ meeting.
The traders’ treasurer, David Mututwa, also said that the market exposes the farmers to airborne diseases and urged the County Government to renovate it and set up water points.
Dan Ole Molo, a trader, asked the government to build a slaughterhouse in the Suswa area so that the farmers can have an expanded market to sell their livestock.
He said Suswa market serves three counties, including Nakuru and Kajiado County, hence the need to increase its operating days.
Suswa Assistant County Commissioner Godfrey Chitiavi said the proposal to have two market days per week at Suswa market is valid.
He observed that the increase in the number of middlemen in the market was compromising the livestock business.
