By ERIC JUMA
Siaya and Makueni counties are set to sign a trade partnership agreement aimed at expanding markets for locally produced goods and boosting economic opportunities for farmers, traders and cooperatives in the two devolved units.
Siaya County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Trade Christine Akinyi Oyuu and Makueni Chief Officer for Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development Japheth Kiminza Mutuku agreed to strengthen inter-county trade through a mutually beneficial partnership.
Speaking on Wednesday, Oyuu said a delegation from the Makueni County Government had visited Siaya to discuss a framework that will enable agricultural products from both counties to access each other’s markets.
Under the proposed agreement, mangoes, citrus fruits and other produce from Makueni will be marketed in Siaya, while fish, Siriwo rice and other products from Siaya will be supplied to markets in Makueni.
“We have held productive discussions with our counterparts from Makueni on modalities of enhancing inter-county trade and identifying products that will be traded in the two counties,” Oyuu said.
She described the proposed partnership as a significant step towards expanding market access for local producers, improving value chains and enhancing the competitiveness of products from both counties.
“Our engagement with Makueni will unlock new opportunities for Siaya producers. We expect sales of our products to increase significantly once they access the Makueni market,” she said.
Oyuu expressed optimism that the partnership would improve livelihoods by creating sustainable markets for farmers and traders.
“With our products penetrating the Makueni market, I believe this partnership will help transform the fortunes of our counties and improve the lives of our people,” she added.
Mutuku said the Makueni delegation had visited Siaya to lay the groundwork for a formal trade agreement that would benefit producers from both counties.
“We have abundant mangoes, citrus fruits and other horticultural products that we would like residents of Siaya to enjoy. Likewise, we want to create opportunities for fish, rice and other products from Siaya to find ready markets in Makueni,” he said.
He noted that the two counties could establish a long-term commercial relationship that would guarantee reliable markets for farmers while promoting regional trade.
Mutuku also proposed the establishment of aggregation centres in Siaya to facilitate the distribution of fruits from Makueni.
“If we establish aggregation centres in Siaya where farmers or off-takers can deliver mangoes and citrus fruits, residents will have access to quality produce at affordable prices. At the same time, we can source fish, rice and other products from Siaya for the Makueni market,” he said.
He said the arrangement would reduce post-harvest losses, improve product quality and increase farmers’ earnings.
“If the partnership is implemented successfully, farmers in both counties stand to reap substantial economic benefits,” he added.
Assistant Director of Fisheries David Mboya, who coordinates the Agriculture Business Development Programme (ABDP) in Siaya County, said the county has significant production capacity that can support the proposed trade partnership.
He said Siaya produces about 158,000 metric tonnes of fish annually through aquaculture, making it one of Kenya’s leading fish-producing counties.
Mboya, however, noted that fish catches from Lake Victoria have declined considerably, with current annual production standing at about 28,000 metric tonnes, underscoring the growing importance of fish farming in meeting market demand.
The proposed agreement is expected to strengthen inter-county trade, expand market opportunities for producers and contribute to economic growth in both Siaya and Makueni counties.
