Isiolo Town, a vibrant hub at the crossroads of Kenya’s northern rangelands, is fast becoming one of the country's most dynamic livestock trading centers.
With its economy firmly anchored in the livestock trade, the town pulses with commerce, determination, and community-driven transformation.
At the heart of this activity is the Isiolo Livestock Market, hailed as the most structured and peaceful market in the arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL) region.
“Soko ya Isiolo ni soko huru. It has been ranked as the best market in the ASAL area in terms of peace, quality of livestock, and structure. Anyone who comes here has the liberty to buy and sell,” said Mohammed Wario, Chairman of the Isiolo Livestock Market.
Traders and transporters from as far as Nyeri and Nairobi frequent the market, moving thousands of animals weekly.
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“In a week, we can take over 500 goats or sometimes 250. I leave at around 5:30 a.m., arrive by 8 a.m., and once the goats are loaded, I’m back in Nyeri by evening,” said Godfrey Ng’ang’a, a truck driver based in Nyeri.
But the market’s true transformation lies in the growing role of women. No longer just passive participants, women are leading livestock negotiations, managing transactions, and venturing into value addition.
One such initiative is the women-led production of Nyiri Nyiri, a traditional dried meat delicacy that’s become Isiolo’s unique export.
Prepared using generations-old techniques, sun-dried and hand-cut, the meat is both a source of nutrition and economic empowerment.
The Nyiri Nyiri industry, once confined to local consumption, is now reaching wider markets, bringing new income streams to women and their families in Isiolo and beyond.
As more women take charge of livestock-related businesses and traditional processing, Isiolo’s economy is becoming more inclusive and resilient.
With every truckload of goats and every packet of Nyiri Nyiri, the county is not only feeding Kenya but also redefining what economic empowerment looks like in pastoral communities.