North Rift Economic Bloc governors re-open markets
By David Musundi, August 21, 2020
David Musundi and Njange Maina
Governors from the North Rift Economic Bloc (Noreb) region have ordered the re-opening of livestock markets and all traders in the region to comply with guidelines to stop the spread of Covid-19.
In agreeing to the reopening of the markets closed in March this year, the county chiefs said the reopening of the economic block will generate revenue and ordered that livestock extension officers work with police chiefs to enable protocols are followed.
Speaking at the Trans Nzoia county headquarters in Kitale, the governor among them county’s Patrick Khaemba, West Pokot’s Professor John Lonyangápuo, Turkana’s Josephat Nanok and Uasin Gishu’s Jackson Mandago said the livestock market will resume Friday and called on the traders not to defy health guidelines on social distancing, mass gatherings, hand-washing, and the wearing of masks.
Cattle sale yards in the Noreb counties were closed last month to stop the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.
Mandago said they had agreed on a livestock policy to eliminate diseases and ordered authorities to address complaints raised by livestock farmers on harassment.