Migori Governor Okoth Obado and his aides rounded up about 200 dairy cows and bulls for the cameras on Tuesday.
The animals, most of them bought from Rift Valley, jumped around in an open field as a huge crowd accompanied the Governor to a flagging off.
Obado flagged off 150 dairy cows and 49 specialised Sahiwal bulls at
Oyani Farm in Uriri subcounty
for transportation to all 40 wards.
This marked the launch of the second phase of a Sh20 million project to end the milk deficit in Migori.
Phase one was launched on March 14, 2015.
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A photo of the occasion that was shared by the Governor’s press team elicited social media debate on the need to flag off cows.
Obado said: "There will be more dairy projects in the county which needs 88,000 liters of milk, which we cannot produce."
He said his county will soon
procure 15 milk cooling and processing plants that will be distributed to all areas.
MCAs Jack Gucha (Kakrao) and Jared Osawa (South Sakwa)
noted the lack of fuel for vehicles could hinder the project's success.
“Despite having motorbikes and vehicles most farmers have complained of lack of extension services to offer A1 services with officers citing lack of fuel,” said Osawa.
Gucha said the Agriculture ministry must ensure extension officers facilitate the project.
The ministry has only inseminated 1,047 animals in the county since last March, a number the MCAs said was too low.
But Obado said Migori bought several motorbikes for officers in
the 2013/14 financial year
and had a sufficient recurrent budget for fuel and mobility.
He instructed agriculture executive Iscar Oluoch to ensure extension officers have what it takes for the project to succeed, "even if it means increasing the monthly recurrent budget".