07/11/2025
Empowering Border Communities Through Inclusive Cross-Border Trade
For many years, the border between Turkana County in Kenya and Kapoeta region in South Sudan was marked by frequent hostilities and cattle rustling, primarily between the Turkana and Toposa communities. The insecurity not only disrupted livelihoods but also hindered trade and mobility across the border. Through sustained peacebuilding initiatives by the national and county governments, supported by non-governmental organisations and community actors, calm has gradually been restored. As peace takes root, cross-border trade is flourishing once again, with the Nadapal Livestock Market emerging as a vital hub for exchange and plans underway for the construction of a new modern market in Lokichoggio to further enhance economic cooperation.
Against this backdrop, TUPADO and DanChurchAid (DCA) through SPREAD project on Thursday 6/11/2025 concluded a two-day cross-border trade workshop at 748 Hotel in Lokichoggio, Turkana County. The forum brought together traders from Kapoeta East, Kapoeta South, and Budi Counties in South Sudan, alongside participants from Lokichoggio Sub-County, Kenya, to deliberate on the challenges affecting cross-border trade and identify sustainable solutions.
Opening the two-day workshop, Mr. David Kangole, Head of Programmes at TUPADO, welcomed participants to the meeting, acknowledging the long journey many had made from South Sudan. He expressed optimism that the workshop would achieve its intended objective of Promoting and deepening cross boarder trade among the Kenyan and South Sudan communities and encouraged everyone to participate actively and share their views openly. He noted that the discussions would culminate in a report capturing the agreed action points, which would later be followed up by the TUPADO team and partners to ensure tangible progress.
During the workshop, key issues raised included unfair pricing, high taxation at border points, limited operating hours, poor road infrastructure, and restricted access to tertiary livestock markets. Traders from Kenya also cited harassment, lack of coordination, and the absence of a common market, proposing that the Nadapal Livestock Market be officially designated as a shared trading hub for both countries.
To address these challenges, participants proposed a range of practical measures. These included improving road infrastructure to enhance market access and strengthening peace dialogues among the Didinga, Toposa, Turkana, and Dodoth communities to promote harmony and stability. They also called for harmonised taxation and fair-trading charges, legal documentation for traders on both sides, and the formation of joint and inclusive market committees to enhance coordination. The traders recommended the establishment of modern market infrastructure, capacity-building on cross-border trade policies and business ethics, and integration with financial institutions to ensure safer transactions. Other key proposals included enhancing veterinary services, consistent trade regulations, security patrols along key roads, and the development of livestock insurance schemes. Participants further emphasised the importance of enforcing by-laws to protect traders, eliminating middlemen, and mapping new business opportunities to diversify income sources.
At the close of the workshop, participants agreed on several key action points to guide the way forward: The formation of a cross-border trade committee, with a date to be set for its formal establishment and operationalisation, the market management committee to make an official declaration of recognised markets to facilitate structured trading, all traders to abide by the trade laws and regulations of both countries to ensure orderly and lawful operations, capacity-building sessions to be organised for traders to enhance knowledge and compliance and all traders to acquire valid trading documents to standardise operations and strengthen accountability.
Mrs. Winnie Loposh, County Director of Trade - Turkana County, highlighted the role of the County Government through the Directorate of Trade in ensuring that physical markets are established at every border point to support smooth trading activities. She explained that the presence of such markets helps reduce operational costs for border communities, enabling them to make better profits. She also emphasised the protection of local markets, cautioning against producers selling directly to consumers, as this could undermine retailers and wholesalers, potentially leading to loss of employment within the value chain.
Turkana County Deputy Director of Livestock, Josephine Emase, highlighted the county’s pivotal role in Kenya’s livestock industry, noting that Turkana hosts 55 livestock markets, of which 25 are currently operational. She emphasised the need to fully utilise the newly launched Nadapal Livestock Market and to strengthen veterinary services at border points to curb disease transmission.
Kapoeta East County Commissioner Steve Lowosio urged traders to comply with government tax regulations and foster unity among communities. Lokichoggio Deputy County Commissioner Isaac Ooko commended TUPADO and DCA for facilitating the dialogue, while noting that extending border operation hours remains a challenge due to security concerns.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Echom Simon, Project Officer, SPREAD–TUPADO, expressed gratitude to all participants for their active engagement and cooperation. He noted that the discussions had been fruitful, with clear challenges, solutions, and action plans outlined for follow-up. He reaffirmed TUPADO’s commitment, together with partners, to develop a comprehensive roadmap to strengthen cross-border trade. Mr. Echom also appreciated the delegates from South Sudan for their participation and announced plans for the next meeting to be held in South Sudan to deepen collaboration and gather further insights.
Also in attendance were Trade Officer Michael Wesonga, County Livestock Market Chairman Joseph Losuru, Lokichoggio Deputy Sub-County Administrator Madam Angeline Epetet, and representatives from South Sudan’s Kapoeta East, Kapoeta South, and Budi Counties.
