Herders in the drought affected areas of Marsabit, Isiolo, Turkana and Garissa have benefited from more than Sh21 million to help them build resilience.
This is part of the Usaid Feed the Future Livestock Market System (LMS) which launched a campaign dubbed ‘Ufugaji Bora, Maisha Bora,’ for social and behaviour change.
The grants will benefit 73 micro enterprises(MSMe) in Garissa, Marsabit, Turkana and Isiolo to help low-income families diversify their livelihoods, build resilience and increase their incomes.
Usaid-Livestock Market Systems Marsabit enterprise development coordinator, Guyo Yattani said the campaign seeks to address the social and environmental expectations factors that prevent pastoralists from adopting good practices.
“We are happy to collaborate with the county on this SBC campaign which is a step towards transforming our communities and mitigate the drough," Guyo said.
"We want to empower and bring lasting change among the pastoralist communities by imparting knowledge that will ultimately improve their lives."
Northern Eastern pastoralists have been urged to practice economical livestock keeping to avoid devastating effects of persistence drought.
As part of intervention the organisation brought in trainers to area pastoralists at Laisamis on Saturday.
The trainers advised herders to stop outdated pastoralism practices and use modern technologies such as immunisation and vaccination to improve the health of their animals.
Others include using high-quality feeds like hay and mineral salt, selling their animals through cooperatives and producer groups for better income, hygienic milking, handling and processing practices.
County deputy livestock director Stephen Riungu said they support the campaign because it will equip pastoralists with better livestock management skills.
"It will enable us to navigate drought that has led to the loss of many of our livestock and improve our lives,” Riungu said.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)
