A team from the State Department for Trade has toured Garissa County to assess market infrastructure and explore ways of strengthening trade and economic opportunities in the region.
The delegation, led by Deputy Director for Trade Mathew Komen, visited the county as part of ongoing efforts to improve market access, address trade barriers, promote value addition, and enhance the capacity of traders.
Garissa County is regarded as a key trade hub in northern Kenya, with its economy driven largely by livestock and supported by agro-businesses involving lemons, sunflowers, mangoes, and bananas.
The economy of the county remains firmly anchored on livestock production and continues to rank among the country’s leading livestock economies, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) Gross County Product report.
The report indicates that Garissa had an estimated population of 948,974 people in 2024, up from 841,353 recorded during the 2019 national census.
The delegation of the state Department for Trade is part of county-level engagements under the Boni Enclave initiative, which seeks to strengthen market systems and sustain economic gains alongside improved security across Lamu, Kilifi, Garissa, and Tana River counties.
During the tour, the team paid courtesy calls on Garissa County Commissioner John Cheruiyot and Chief Officer for Trade and Investment Jael Odhiambo.
Discussions focused on expanding awareness of bilateral trade agreements, promoting intra-county trade, and identifying opportunities to unlock the county’s economic potential through improved market infrastructure and investment.
Deputy Director for Trade Mathew Komen emphasized the importance of collaboration in advancing peacebuilding and security efforts as a foundation for sustainable economic growth within the Boni Enclave and neighbouring regions.
The Garissa visit follows similar engagements in Lamu and Kilifi counties as the government seeks to deepen trade integration and support local enterprises across the coastal and northern corridor.
