Kenya unveils US$16.3M livestock plan ahead of El Niño

KENYA – Kenya has unveiled a KSh2.1 billion (US$16.3 million) livestock preparedness plan to protect farmers and pastoralists from projected El Niño impacts, with the largest allocation targeting vaccines, veterinary medicines and emergency animal health response.

Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe launched the National Livestock Sector El Niño Preparedness and Anticipatory Action Plan in Isiolo, following advisories from the Kenya Meteorological Department warning of increased rainfall, flooding, flash floods and localised inundation in several counties.

The plan covers 24 flood-prone and high-livestock-population counties and prioritises early intervention to reduce livestock losses and disease outbreaks rather than relying on post-disaster recovery.

The government will allocate KSh1.5 billion (US$11.6 million) to procure and pre-position vaccines, veterinary medicines, laboratory reagents, personal protective equipment, mobile veterinary clinics and emergency response kits.

The measures are intended to support prevention and rapid response to climate-sensitive diseases, including Rift Valley fever, as flooding can increase vector populations and disease risks.

“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.”

Feed and livestock infrastructure

The preparedness plan also includes KSh50 million (US$386,000) for strategic feed and fodder reserves, rehabilitation of water points and emergency water supply arrangements.

A further KSh250 million (US$1.93 million) will protect critical livestock infrastructure, including cattle dips, livestock markets, slaughterhouses, milk cooling facilities, veterinary laboratories and feed stores.

The government will also allocate KSh100 million (US$772,000) for livestock evacuation, welfare and logistics, while another KSh100 million (US$772,000) will support early warning systems, climate risk mapping, emergency communication and inter-agency coordination. 

A final KSh100 million (US$772,000) will fund farmer awareness, biosecurity promotion, livestock insurance sensitisation, commercial offtake and contingency planning.

“Livestock 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 plan will initially target 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, with additional counties potentially added based on further meteorological advisories.

Implementation will follow a One Health approach, linking human, animal and environmental health surveillance to address zoonotic disease risks associated with flooding.

During his visit to Isiolo, Kagwe also launched the Animal Identification and Traceability System (ANITRAC) drive in the county. 

The system is intended to provide information on livestock origin, movement and health status while helping prevent stolen animals from entering legitimate markets.

Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke said more than 20 million cattle, sheep and goats had already been vaccinated nationwide under the government’s livestock vaccination programme.

Kagwe said combining vaccination and traceability with livestock aggregation and modern processing facilities, including the upcoming Isiolo Export Abattoir, would help producers meet market requirements and access higher-value domestic and international markets.

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