Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui has ordered the re-opening of Banita livestock market following a pledge that all traders will abide by guidelines set by health authorities to control the spread of Covid-19.
“The economy must be restarted and people given their lives back. That’s why reopening the county for business is my administration’s top priority so that we can get back to the regularity of life,” stated the governor.
The market that caters for over 500 livestock traders from Soin and Solai wards within Rongai Sub-County was closed in March this year when the first case of Covid-19 was reported in the country.
“We are reopening the markets on condition that the measures that have been put in place by the Department of Public Health will be adhered to,” said Mr Kinyanjui.
County Executive Committee Member for Trade Mr Raymond Komen said the decision to reopen the market was informed by the need to revive the economy by getting people back to income generating activities.
Mr Komen said the livestock market will resume every Saturday and called on the traders not to defy health guidelines on social distancing, avoiding mass gatherings, engaging in constant hand-washing and wearing of masks.
The governor was accompanied by Rongai Sub County Administrator Mr. Ben Yattich and area Member of County Assembly MCA Irene Chebichi.
Komen said Rongai Sub-County was a big producer of meat and reopening the market was meant to stabilize prices of cattle, sheep and goats.
Mr Yattich reiterated that social distancing remained a big challenge. He said inspectorate officers and other security officers would not relent in enforcing the directive.
He assured all the traders of their security and warned that non-compliance with health guidelines would lead to closure of the markets again.
Ms Chebichi said the county government had provided enough sanitizers and face masks to local residents and traders.
