Lodwar – December 2, 2025 (Public Communication and Media Relations)
The leaders of the Livestock Marketing Associations (LMA) across Turkana, who came for the three-day training in Lodwar, have revealed that the training has opened new doors for livestock keepers, traders and producer organizations.
“The training has sparked connections, forged marked links, and indeed the livestock sector in Turkana is poised to change for years,” said Joseph Losuru, the Chairman, County Livestock Marketing Council.
Despite facing challenges in accessing local and international market opportunities, Losuru has maintained that the De-Risking, Inclusion and Value Enhancement of Pastoral Economies (DRIVE) Project through the training, has unlocked potential opportunities that exist in the sub-sector to strategically link traders and producers with markets available locally and globally.
He added, Turkana traders stand to benefit from the cross-border trade in Ethiopia, Southern Sudan and Uganda, if the government guarantees them of sustainable security.
“My understanding of DRIVE Project has totally changed. It not only provides livestock insurance, but also connecting pastoralists to markets with better quality infrastructure, while facilitating trade,” Albert Naida Epeyo stated.
Epeyo said, he appreciated learning of pasture, fodder production and conservation, livestock marketing, breeding, feedlots and fattening concepts that will make him a serious entrepreneur.
He requested the Project to consider reviving tannery and leather processing facility at Naurenpuu, that will provide ready market for the hides and skins in Turkana.
In the same way, Rajab Obama, one of the trainers from the State Department of Livestock Development argued that cognizant of the fact there is extreme weather events leading to persistent drought with severe negative effects on food security in Turkana, it is possible to move to sustainable food systems through change of culture from livestock keepers to producers, fodder production and commercialization of livestock.
The DRIVE Project’s County Liaison Officer in Turkana, Ernest Anzeze assured the leaders of the LMA’s of the Project’s support in ensuring the project is owned and sustained by communities, beyond the project period.
“After the project phases out, I want to see pastoralists-transformed traders who earn their living from the livestock proceeds. And a sub-sector that employs women and youth,”remarked Anzeze.
