Livestock trade and devolution in the Somali-Kenya transboundary corridor

Philemon Ong’Ao Ng’Asike,Finn Stepputat,Jesse Theuri Njoka

doi:10.1186/s13570-020-00185-y

Philemon Ong’Ao Ng’Asike, Finn Stepputat + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s13570-020-00185-y

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Abstract

After the collapse of the central Somali state in 1991, Somali livestock trade has increasingly been re-oriented towards terminal markets in central and coastal Kenya, helped by the more recent trade liberalization in Kenya. The predominantly informal cross-border trade (ICBT) has nurtured local livelihoods and government revenues in Kenya, where informal transactions and formal regulation overlap in the Somali-fed livestock supply chains. This article analyses the practices and dynamics that characterize Somali-Kenyan cross-border livestock trade, and proceeds to point out important policy issues that have emerged after the devolution of key state functions and regulation to county governments. The article finally highlights areas of collaboration between the national and county governments that are necessary to achieve a credible supply of meat in Kenyan and international markets. By doing so, it explores the linkage between changes in the political economy of cross-border livestock trade, and the unintended impact of decentralization on the governance of livestock supply chains.

Highlights

When the central Somali state collapsed in 21st January 1991 and continued violence blocked the usual marketing routes for livestock in the southern parts of Somalia (Kismayo and Mogadishu), Somali livestock traders increasingly took their business across the border to Kenya (Luling 1997; Ahmed and Green 1999; Little 2005; Mahmoud 2010; Little et al 2015)
Garissa livestock market and dynamics of the trade This section gives a comprehensive picture of the actors, and logistical challenges of the Somali-Kenyan livestock supply chain in order to be able to discuss ensuing policy implications
We focus on Garissa livestock market, the key hub in the supply chain; second, we look into the sourcing of livestock upstream from Garissa; and third, we follow the livestock downstream from Garissa to the markets and abattoirs in Nairobi, a main destination of Somali livestock

Summary

Introduction

When the central Somali state collapsed in 21st January 1991 and continued violence blocked the usual marketing routes for livestock in the southern parts of Somalia (Kismayo and Mogadishu), Somali livestock traders increasingly took their business across the border to Kenya (Luling 1997; Ahmed and Green 1999; Little 2005; Mahmoud 2010; Little et al 2015). Kenyan-Somali traders would like to access international markets because of the higher prices, but with the current situation in the borderlands, Kenyan exports are vulnerable vis-à-vis international SPS and commodity standards, including the increased demands for traceability in production and breeding systems of free-range grazing animals.19 According to people interviewed, veterinary services have been pushed to the borders since devolution in 2013.20 With the capacity-building of community animal-health workers, the surveillance and reporting of diseases have improved, and herders have learned how to identify common diseases caused by changes in weather.

Results

Conclusion