Goat prices fall in Mwingi ahead of school reopening

There is a sharp drop in prices of livestock across markets in Mwingi North Sub County.

Goat market in Kwa Kamari market, Tseikuru district.

When MWINGI TIMES visited a goats and cattle market in Kwa Kamari village on Tuesday,  we were met with endless haggling as buyers and sellers stood in the sun negotiating prices of livestock they had spent years taking care of but the returns won't be enough to buy household shopping and pay school fees this January.

Kwa Kamari market. Parents and guardians have hard time raising school fees as crops failed and livestock prices dropped.

"Ndukwate mbesa tii mundume. Ukakia mbesa ata yu?" [Take this cash, don't hesitate since that is what I have] a young goat buyer said to a seller who was about 50 years.

A male mature goat whose normal price is usually KSh13,000 could not fetch KSh8,000.

The area is also reeling from massive crop failure since the October -November-December rains were inadequate.

Those who had planted maize, sorghum and beans were counting more losses than those who had planted Drought Resistant Crops [DTCs] such as cowpeas, greengrams and millet.

As an indicator of government's efforts in curbing insecurity, there were police officers on patrol as Kwa Kamari market went on.

Locals and camel herders have has conflict over land use in the past, some cases leading to loss of lives and destruction of property.

A signpost near Kwa Kamari market. Police were present to beef up security in Mwingi North that has witnessed lawlessness this recent past especially on bandit invasion resulting to deaths and destruction.

STORY By MUSYOKA NGUI