Maralal: Livestock trading, a key economic mainstay in Maralal, Samburu County, is feeling the pinch of the ongoing dry season as prices of goats and sheep decline due to poor animal health and scarcity of pasture and water.
According to Kenya News Agency, a spot-check at the main livestock market on the outskirts of Maralal town established that prices have dropped significantly compared to the previous rainy season when pasture and water were readily available. Goat prices have declined slightly, according to traders at the market.
Mata Juloingo, a well-known goat trader, said goats are currently selling at between Sh5,000 and Sh10,000 depending on weight, down from between Sh8,000 and Sh12,000 during the rainy season. “In a day, I buy 100 to 150 goats, and I go to sell them at the Lekuru livestock market, Mowarak, and sometimes in Marsabit County. Since goat prices have gone down, we are also required to pay Sh50 per goat as cess to the county government, which makes it difficult for us to make enough profit to sustain our livelihoods,” said Juloingo.
He said the Sh50 cess per goat fee has become a major burden for traders, especially during the dry season when animal health is poor. He contrasted this with Laikipia County, where traders pay Sh30 per goat, terming it more favourable. Juloingo called on the Samburu County Government to consider reducing the cess and to find ways of supporting livestock keepers to improve animal production.
A similar trend was reported in the sheep trade. Juliana Lenaitoti, a businesswoman who trades in sheep and castrated gala goats locally known as ‘Zenge’, said the market has declined compared to two months ago. She said sheep are currently fetching between Sh4,000 and Sh9,000 depending on weight, compared to Sh6,000 to Sh11,000 during the rainy season. However, Lenaitoti noted that the Zenge continue to enjoy a favourable market, with prices ranging between Sh10,000 and Sh18,000 depending on weight.
“Our animals are getting sick mostly at this time when there are no green pastures, thus making the market for our livestock go down more than expected. We are calling upon the Samburu County Government to assist us with drugs for our animals,” she said.
Meanwhile, cattle trading remains relatively stable, according to David Lenayiara, the chairperson of the livestock market. Lenayiara said cattle prices largely depend on the breed. Sahiwal cattle are selling at between Sh40,000 and Sh80,000, while Tugen breeds fetch between Sh100,000 and Sh110,000. Other breeds adapted to the semi-arid environment are priced according to their weight.
He urged the county government to intervene by supplying hay and other animal feeds to livestock keepers during the dry season and to repair the weighing machine at the market to enable accurate determination of livestock weight during sales. “I am calling on the Samburu County Government, led by Governor Lati, to supply us with hay for our livestock and also repair the weighing machine,” said Lenayiara.
