The Kenya Livestock Marketing Council (KLMC) intends to construct a goat and cattle market for pastoralists in East Pokot. According to the Council, the new market will give livestock farmers in the region a chance to sell their cattle for better prices. Pastoralists in East Pokot have been selling their cattle at low prices owing to drought and marginalization. For a long time, they have lacked a legitimate pricing system for their commodities. The new market will create a platform that will be used to determine the cost of cattle based on current market trends.
While this bodes well for the pastoralists, consumers around the region may have to deal with the pitfalls of a competitive meat market. A publication from the Ministry of Agriculture states that setting up meat markets in marginalised areas encourages butchers to hike their prices in order to compensate for higher costs of procurement.
According to a report by the Arid Lands Resource Management Project, the average price of a goat in East Pokot can be as low as KES 1000 during the prevalent dry season and KES 3000 when demand is high. Under similar environmental conditions, average cattle prices can range between KES 5500 and KES 12,500. Anthony Murithii, an Agricultural Economist from the Ministry said that these prices may vary depending on the dynamics on the ground. He noted that it is too early to speculate new prices as the project has not yet gained traction.
KLMC reported that the new market will open up business opportunities for people living in the region. The Council noted that it will also protect pastoralists from buyers who would seek to take advantage of their current situation.