Garissa livestock farmers receive Sh3 million from insurance fund

Ninety-four pastoralists from Garissa have received Sh3 million from the Kenya Livestock Insurance Programme.

Each of the 94 farmers was awarded Sh40,600 to cushion them from the effects of the ongoing drought in the region.

Since the inception of the programme in 2016, the insurance fund has so far released more than Sh39 million to the farmers.

The money is allocated by the government to 14 arid and semi-arid counties to cushion farmers against huge losses in times of drought or disease outbreaks.

Garissa county commissioner Boaz Cherutich said on Tuesday that more than 250,000 livestock farmers have been affected by the drought.

He said the programme, which targets at least 2,000 beneficiaries, presents hope and livelihood for farmers whose livestock have been affected by natural disasters.

“This programme is meant to reduce the risk of livestock mortality emanating from drought and illnesses. As you all know, the current drought situation in this county is not very good,” Cherutich said.

He spoke to the press after issuing the cheques to the beneficiaries at the Agriculture Farmers Training Centre in Garissa town. 

“There is a need to build the resilience of vulnerable pastoralists for sustainable security. This is a very good programme which will support the households to buy livestock feeds and food for their families during this time,” Cherutich added.

A report by county director for livestock Haret Hambe shows 350,000 cattle and over 800,000 goats and sheep have been affected by the drought.

This is a major loss for pastoralists in the region, who entirely rely on their livestock as a source of livelihood.

Garissa livestock traders chairman Dubat Amey said the intervention by the government was timely.

Residents of Lagdera subcounty had a day earlier appealed to the government to help them as they do not have water for domestic use and livestock.

Farmer Suleiman Ibrahim Sheikh, who has over 400 camels, said the pain of having to pay Sh10,000 for a single water truck for his livestock three times a week was too much to bear.

He said most of his animals are now weak due to lack of water and pasture.

Edited by A.N