Traders in Moroto district have welcomed the return of Turkana Kenya traders back to Moroto describing it as great.
Turkana traders in the last six years have been crossing in hundreds to Moroto to buy merchandise and drinks such as beer but in 2019, they scaled down due to insecurity along the border of Turkana and Karamoja.
But following the heavy deployment along the Karamoja, Kenya border by the joint security of police and army, the traders have resumed doing business with Moroto traders.
Speaking to URN on Thursday, Mathew Ekai a trader in Lodwar the main town of Turkana said the deployment of Uganda troops on the border has given them hope to resume crossing to Moroto to buy merchandise.
“We stopped because we were not sure of our lives when the Karimojong resumed shooting and looting at the border,” he said.
Jospek Emanikor, another trader from Turkana said they find it cheaper and near to cross to Moroto in Uganda and buy merchandise than driving kilometers from Lodwar to Eldoret.
“We find it so easy to cross from Lodwar to Moroto which is just 140 kilometers and buy Merchandise,” he said.
Betty Nambose, a trader from Moroto said the return of Turkans traders to Moroto will help to boost their business.
“We have been counting loses because customers within Moroto don’t consume all the merchandise but now the return of the Turkanas it’s good for us,” she said.
Moses Mudong another trader said they are planning also to start taking chicken and other fresh vegetables to sell in Turkana.
Micheal Longole the Karamoja regional police spokesperson said the joint security forces have stepped up their presence along the Kenya and Karamona route.
“We are on top of the situation, no worries traders are free to move,” he said.
Last month the newly elected Turkana county Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai said his term in office will focus on boosting cross border trade between Turkana and Karamoja.
He warned politicians to stop facilitating youth for raids and cattle rustling .
