The Effects Of Traders’ Competitive Rivalry On Livestock Market Access In Pastoral Areas: A Case Of Turkana County In Kenya

The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of livestock traders’ competitive rivalry on market access in pastoral areas. The study focused on how traders’ socioeconomic characteristics, livestock production and marketing developments, market supply and demand relations, and business model incorporation into livestock commerce can generate knowledge and best practices for regulating competition and performance in local markets. The rationale for investigating competition and market access factors was based on the fact that livestock-keeping is a source of livelihood depended on by over 60% of the Turkana population. While the majority of livestock development challenges are production-related, competition and market access shortfalls make potential livestock markets inefficient and non-lucrative. Exploratory and descriptive research designs and a mixed-methods research approach were used to structure the study. Data was collected from study populations, i.e., primary market traders (n = 243), secondary market traders (n = 168), and livestock specialists working for government and civil society (n = 24). The chief findings showed that the competitive rivalry effect on livestock production and marketing and supply and demand relationships in markets is significant at a 5% level and that the socioeconomic status of livestock traders, including their wealth, social standing, and amount of operating capital, varies greatly depending on traders’ business capital. Livestock marketing in Turkana is not based on formal business models and strategies. The livestock industry is regressing, and many livestock markets are becoming inoperable, unprofitable, uncompetitive, and unsustainable. Knowledge generated on livestock production and marketing in pastoral areas for use by government and civil society in effective programming of livestock developments in pastoral areas is the basis for the study’s critical implications for theory and practice. To structure, enhance performance, and regulate competition in livestock markets, the study underscores the importance of formulating and implementing business models and strategies leading to the most organized livestock marketing and networking among market stakeholders. The study’s findings will guide the development of the livestock sector in drylands, facilitate the creation of value-added product chains for the market, manage pricing, structure market governance, and market support networks, improve trading modalities, and inculcate accountability and transparency values in livestock business endeavors.