Governor Ken Lusaka…Photo/IP

BUNGOMA, Kenya (IP)

Bungoma County has moved to formalize the management of its livestock markets after Governor Kenneth Lusaka signed into law a bill regulating all livestock sale yards across the county.

The Bungoma County Livestock Sale Yard Act, 2025, passed by the county assembly, establishes a legal framework for the co-management, regulation and development of livestock sale yards. The law will take effect after gazettement.

County officials say the legislation is aimed at improving revenue collection, strengthening disease control and curbing livestock theft in a region where agriculture is the backbone of the local economy.

“This law will bring order, transparency and accountability in the management of our livestock markets,” Lusaka said during the signing ceremony, adding that it would improve service delivery and boost county revenue.

The act also provides for structured development of sale yards to ensure safer and more organized trading environments for farmers and traders.

The bill received technical and financial backing from the Kenya Livestock Commercialization Project (KeLCoP), which is supporting the construction of a major livestock sale yard in Musikoma and Mbakalo wards.

The signing was witnessed by County Attorney Edward Waswa, Naitiri/Kabuyefwe Ward MCA Wafula Waiti and County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture Herbert Kibunguchi.

Once gazetted, officials say the new law is expected to strengthen the livestock value chain and position Bungoma as a regional hub for organized livestock trade.