Governor Joseph Ole Lenku has reopened all livestock markets in Kajiado County after measures were put in place to ensure all the traders comply with the precautions of COVID-19.
The Governor was accompanied by the Kajiado County Security team led by County Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha and County Police Commander Beatrice Gachago at the Emali market in Kenyawa Poka Ward.
Speaking at the event, Lenku said the livestock market will resume every Friday and called on the traders not to relax the conditions.
” We are reopening the markets on condition that the measures that have been put in place by the Department of Public Health are adhered to,” said the Governor.
Cattle sale yards in Ilbissil, Emali, Kimana, Shompole, and Kiserian were closed last month to contain human contact in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said Kajiado was a big producer of meat and other agricultural produce and reopening the markets was meant to stabilize the prices of the commodities.
” We assure Kenyans of a stable supply of food to cushion them against price hikes. Food is the next big challenge as this pandemic escalates. We are working on how we can keep producing more,” said the Governor.
He reminded the traders that all levies related to food, including livestock cess, had been suspended until June 30, 2020.
The Governor reiterated that social distance remained a big challenge to the trading activities and said Inspectorate officers and other security officers will not relent in enforcing the rules.
He announced the expansion of the Emali market selling space and said trading will be allowed to take place outside the fenced area but within the county land.
The County Commissioner said security would be provided to all traders and warned that only non-compliance of the guidelines could lead to a closure of the markets.
