Lodwar, May 8, 2024

Hundreds of residents and traders are set to benefit from modern markets to be constructed by the County Government at four locations along the Kenya-Uganda-South Sudan-Ethiopia borders in the current 2023–2024 year.

This was revealed by the Chief Officer of Trade and Enterprise Development, Robert Loyelei, who said that contractors had already been identified and authorized to commence construction at Todonyang, Letea, Nadapal, and Lokiriama.

The cross-border markets are set to open up opportunities for the hundreds of youths, women, and organized groups in the areas to take part in trade-resulting commercial activities while leveraging on the shared Ateker cultural roots for improved relations.

Chief Officer Loyelei explained that the choice of locations was an intentional move by the county to promote the economic inclusion of border communities and harness the potential of the regions for the county’s commercial benefits.

“The infrastructure will provide the traders with a clean and safe space to conduct their business ventures,” said Chief Officer Loyelei.

The project further carries international significance as it directly builds the dream of the East Africa Community of free trade zones along the common borders of member countries through the elimination of trade barriers.

According to CO Loyelei, the four markets will bear a similar structural model dubbed the “twin market” to accommodate the widest range of commercial interests that Turkana and their international neighbors will be engaged in.

A similar market will also be constructed at Kapedo Napeitom Ward of the Suguta sub-county to promote Turkana-Baringo-West Pokot trade relations.