Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe during the launch of Sh2.1bn livestock plan to prepare for El Niño/ HANDOUTThe government has unveiled a Sh2.1 billion plan to protect livestock farmers and pastoral communities from the expected effects of El Niño weather, including floods, flash floods and disease outbreaks.
The National Livestock Sector El Niño Preparedness and Anticipatory Action Plan targets 24 flood-prone counties and areas with high livestock populations.
The plan prioritises early intervention to reduce losses instead of waiting for disasters to occur before responding.
Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe launched the plan in Isiolo County, saying the government was keen to protect livestock farmers from losses linked to extreme weather.
"The 2023 El Niño and the 2024 long rains floods caused devastating losses to our livestock farmers, destroyed critical infrastructure and triggered disease outbreaks that set back the sector significantly," Kagwe said.
"We therefore need to learn from our experiences, and this is the reason we are determined to ensure that our farmers and pastoralists are not caught unprepared."
The largest allocation of Sh1.5 billion will be used to procure and pre-position vaccines, veterinary medicines, laboratory reagents, personal protective equipment, mobile veterinary clinics and emergency response kits in targeted counties.
The measures are intended to strengthen the response to climate-sensitive diseases, including Rift Valley fever, as well as increased vector activity associated with prolonged flooding.
The government will spend a further Sh100 million on early warning systems, climate risk mapping, emergency communication networks and coordination between agencies.
Another Sh250 million will be allocated to protect critical livestock infrastructure, including cattle dips, livestock markets, slaughterhouses, milk cooling facilities, veterinary laboratories and feed stores.
The plan also sets aside Sh100 million for livestock evacuation, welfare and logistics operations.
Sh50 million will go towards strategic feed and fodder reserves, rehabilitation of water points and emergency water supply arrangements.
A further Sh100 million will support farmer awareness campaigns, promotion of biosecurity, livestock insurance sensitisation, commercial offtake operations and contingency planning.
"Llivestock is the primary livelihood asset for millions of Kenyan households, particularly in our arid and semi-arid regions. Protecting that asset during an extreme weather event is a matter of food security, economic stability, and national resilience," Kagwe said.
The initial 24 counties covered by the plan are Garissa, Tana River, Lamu, Kilifi, Isiolo, Wajir, Mandera, Marsabit, Turkana, Samburu, Narok, Kajiado, Baringo, West Pokot, Busia, Kisumu, Siaya, Migori, Homa Bay, Kitui, Makueni, Machakos, Meru and Embu.
Additional counties may be included based on ongoing advisories from the Kenya Meteorological Department.
The plan will be implemented under the One Health framework, bringing together human, animal and environmental health surveillance to address disease risks that may increase during flooding.
The government said the measures are expected to reduce livestock deaths, contain disease outbreaks, protect livestock markets and value chains and lower the cost of post-disaster recovery.
During the launch, Kagwe also inspected the Isiolo International Abattoir, which is expected to be launched by President William Ruto.
Agriculture and Livestock Development Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke, who accompanied Kagwe, said the government's livestock vaccination programme was strengthening Kenya's capacity to access and expand export markets.
Mueke said more than 20 million cattle, sheep and goats had been vaccinated across the country.
