The government has unveiled a Sh2.1 billion plan to protect livestock farmers and pastoral communities as Kenya prepares for potentially heavy El Niño rains.
The National Livestock Sector El Niño Preparedness and Anticipatory Action Plan will initially cover 24 counties considered vulnerable to flooding and livestock losses. The government says it wants to act before disasters strike rather than wait for losses to occur.
Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe launched the plan in Isiolo County, pointing to the damage caused by previous 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 pastorals are not caught unprepared.”
The largest share of the funding, Sh1.5 billion, will go towards vaccines, veterinary medicines, laboratory supplies, protective equipment, mobile veterinary clinics and emergency response kits.
The measures are intended to help counties respond quickly to diseases that can spread or worsen after heavy rains and flooding, including Rift Valley fever.
Another Sh100 million will fund early-warning systems, climate-risk mapping, emergency communication and coordination between government agencies.
The government has also set aside Sh250 million to protect key livestock facilities. These include cattle dips, livestock markets, slaughterhouses, milk-cooling centres, veterinary laboratories and feed stores.
A further Sh100 million will support livestock evacuation, welfare and emergency logistics.
The plan includes Sh50 million for feed and fodder reserves, rehabilitation of water points and emergency water supplies. Another Sh100 million will be used for farmer awareness, bio-security measures, livestock insurance sensitisation, commercial off-take and contingency planning.
Kagwe said livestock remained central to the livelihoods of millions of Kenyan households, particularly in the country’s arid and semi-arid areas.
“Protecting that asset during an extreme weather event is a matter of food security, economic stability, and national resilience,” he said.
The initial 24 counties 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.
More counties could be added as new weather advisories are issued by the Kenya Meteorological Department, which continues to publish county-level forecasts and weather guidance.
The programme will operate under the One Health approach, bringing together animal, human and environmental health surveillance. The government says this will help identify and respond to disease risks that may increase during flooding.
Officials expect the measures to reduce livestock deaths, limit disease outbreaks and protect livestock markets and supply chains.
During his visit to Isiolo, Kagwe also inspected the Isiolo International Abattoir, which is expected to be officially launched by President William Ruto.
Principal Secretary for Livestock Development Jonathan Mueke said the government’s vaccination campaign was also helping Kenya strengthen its position in livestock export markets.
Mueke said more than 20 million cattle, sheep and goats had been vaccinated across the country.
The plan comes as authorities prepare for the possible disruption that heavy rainfall could bring to livestock habitats, markets and disease-control efforts. Recent reporting has highlighted the need for early preparation as Kenya awaits the expected rains.
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