The Government, through the Prime Minister’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PMO-RALG), is set to begin construction of a modern livestock auction market in Meatu District in May 2026, a project expected to improve trading conditions and boost revenue for the local council.
The update was issued in Parliament on April 24, 2026 by Deputy Minister in PMO-RALG, Festo Dugange, on behalf of the Minister of State.
He was responding to a question from Meatu Member of Parliament, Salum Khamis Salum, who sought to know when the government would commence construction of a modern livestock auction facility to raise standards and increase council revenue.
Dr Dugange said the Meatu District Council currently operates four primary auction sites Bukundi, Itinje, Mwanhuzi and Tindabuligi but noted that the facilities require upgrading to match the growing demands of the livestock market.
He stressed that improving such infrastructure remains a government priority in creating a more efficient and transparent trading environment for pastoralists and buyers.
He said that in the 2023/24 financial year, the council spent Sh14.3 million from internal revenues on initial improvements, including the construction of a slaughter slab, sanitation facilities and the allocation of eight acres of land in Bukundi village for the modern auction.
The groundwork, he added, is key to accelerating implementation of the larger project.
For the 2025/26 financial year, Dr Dugange said the council has set aside Sh12 million to kick-start the first phase of construction, beginning with a perimeter fence.
Works are expected to commence in May 2026, while efforts to secure additional funds for the full development of the auction market are ongoing.
In a related move, the government has also committed to addressing the shortage of weighing scales in existing livestock auctions.
Dr Dugange said PMO-RALG, in collaboration with relevant ministries, will ensure the availability of the equipment to enable livestock to be sold based on weight rather than estimation an improvement expected to enhance transparency, efficiency and fair pricing in the sector.
Once completed, the modern auction market is expected to transform livestock trade in Meatu, offering improved infrastructure, better price discovery mechanisms and increased income opportunities for pastoralists and the council.
