By Asha Elmi - Reporter
ISIOLO, Kenya Kenya has launched a Ksh2.1 billion ($16.2 million) National Livestock Sector El Niño Preparedness and Anticipatory Action Plan to protect livestock farmers and pastoral communities from the expected effects of the weather event, Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said on Thursday.
The plan follows advisories from the Kenya Meteorological Department indicating an increased likelihood of enhanced rainfall, flooding, flash floods and localized inundation in several parts of the country.
Speaking at the launch in Isiolo County, Kagwe said the government wanted to act before losses occurred rather than focus on recovery after disasters.
"The 2023 El Niño and the 2024 long rains floods caused devastating losses to our livestock farmers, destroyed critical infrastructure and triggered disease outbreaks," Kagwe said.
"We therefore need to learn from our experiences ... so that our farmers and pastoralists are not caught unprepared," he said.
The plan will cover 24 counties considered vulnerable because of their flood risk and large livestock populations.
The largest allocation, Ksh1.5 billion ($11.6 million), will go toward procuring and pre-positioning vaccines, veterinary medicines, laboratory supplies, protective equipment, mobile veterinary clinics and emergency response kits.
The measures are intended to prevent and respond quickly to climate-sensitive diseases, including Rift Valley fever, as well as increased disease-carrying vectors that can accompany prolonged flooding.
The government has allocated a further Ksh250 million ($1.9 million) to protect critical livestock infrastructure, including cattle dips, livestock markets, slaughterhouses, milk cooling facilities, veterinary laboratories and feed stores.
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Another Ksh100 million ($772,000) will support livestock evacuation, welfare and logistics operations, while Ksh50 million ($386,000) will be used for strategic feed and fodder reserves, rehabilitation of water points and emergency water supplies.
A further Ksh100 million ($772,000) will fund farmer awareness campaigns, biosecurity measures, livestock insurance awareness, commercial livestock sales and contingency planning.
"Livestock is the primary livelihood asset for millions of Kenyan households, particularly in our arid and semi-arid regions," Kagwe said. "Protecting that asset during an extreme weather event is a matter of food security, economic stability, and national resilience."
The targeted counties include 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.
The government said additional counties could be included based on further weather advisories from the Kenya Meteorological Department.
The plan will be implemented under the One Health framework, which brings together human, animal and environmental health surveillance to address disease risks that can increase during floods.
The government expects the measures to reduce livestock deaths, contain disease outbreaks and protect livestock markets and supply chains, while reducing the cost of post-disaster recovery.
During an inspection tour of the Isiolo International Abattoir, Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke said the government's livestock vaccination program was also strengthening Kenya's ability to access and expand export markets.
More than 20 million cattle, sheep and goats have been vaccinated nationwide, he said.