Ruto’s Sondu market plan: Trade to tackle cattle rustling
President William Ruto has announced the completion of procurement for a new market in Sondu, Kenya, intended to foster trade between the Kisumu, Kisii, and Kericho communities. The government views this economic infrastructure as a strategic tool to reduce cattle rustling by providing legitimate livelihood opportunities.
Why it matters
It demonstrates a government strategy of using economic development and market integration to address long-standing regional security and ethnic conflict issues.
President William Ruto speaks at the Kisumu State Lodge on September 14, 2026./SCREENGRAB
President William Ruto says trade could offer a lasting answer to cattle rustling, with a new market in Sondu set to bring nearly 1,000 traders from communities in Kisumu, Kisii and Kericho under one roof.
Ruto said the facility would provide residents with a shared economic space where they can trade their produce and build livelihoods instead of engaging in destructive activities.
Speaking during a media engagement at Kisumu State Lodge on Monday, Ruto said procurement for the Sondo market had been completed after an earlier dispute over its location was resolved.
“For the market in Sondu, we are already procuring. Initially there was a problem of where to put the market, but finally that was settled between the different entities there,” he said.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in