NAIROBI,Kenya Sep 11 – The government has unveiled a Sh2.1 billion preparedness plan to protect livestock farmers and pastoral communities from the anticipated effects of El Niño, with the largest share of the funds going towards vaccines, veterinary medicines and emergency response equipment.

📻 Breaking It Down

Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the National Livestock Sector El Niño Preparedness and Anticipatory Action Plan was designed to ensure farmers act before disasters strike, rather than wait for losses to occur before responding.

The plan targets 24 flood-prone and livestock-rich counties following advisories by the Kenya Meteorological Department pointing to an increased likelihood of enhanced rainfall, flooding, flash floods and localised inundation.

Speaking in Isiolo County during the launch, Mr Kagwe said the government was determined to avoid a repeat of the losses witnessed during the 2023 El Niño rains and the 2024 long rains.

📌 What You Need to Know

“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. We therefore need to learn from our experiences and ensure that our farmers and pastoralists are not caught unprepared,” Mr Kagwe said.

Of the Sh2.1 billion, Sh1.5 billion will be spent on procuring and pre-positioning vaccines, veterinary medicines, laboratory reagents, personal protective equipment, mobile veterinary clinics and emergency response kits in the targeted counties.

The investment is intended to strengthen the country’s ability to prevent and rapidly respond to climate-sensitive diseases, including Rift Valley Fever, whose risks can increase during prolonged periods of flooding due to a rise in disease-carrying vectors.

Another Sh250 million will be used to protect critical livestock infrastructure such as cattle dips, livestock markets, slaughterhouses, milk cooling facilities, veterinary laboratories and feed stores.

The government has allocated Sh100 million to early warning systems, climate risk mapping, emergency communication networks and inter-agency coordination.

A further Sh100 million will support livestock evacuation, welfare and logistics operations, while Sh50 million will be used to establish strategic feed and fodder reserves, rehabilitate water points and provide emergency water supplies.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya