At least 1,000 domestic animals died in August and September in Lamu county due to the drought, the National Drought Management Authority has said.
Areas that lost most of the animals include Nagelle, Kitumbini, Chalaluma, Pandanguo, Pangani, Mavuno, Poromoko, Mkunumbi, Koreni, Mpeketoni and Bar’goni.
Lamu NDMA coordinator Mohamed Dahir said on Friday the situation is dire for residents and livestock.
More than half of the households in Lamu do not have food.
Dahir said his office is liaising with the county government to conduct a drought rapid assessment to ascertain the situation in the affected areas.
“We’re bringing on board all sectors, including livestock, water, agriculture, health, and education in undertaking the drought rapid assessment. We are also in talks with the county government to provide technical support,” he said.
Lamu Kenya Red Cross Society coordinator Kauthar Alwy expressed concerns that the situation could escalate if the drought persists in the next few weeks.
“Animals are dying in large numbers. We haven't done any assessment so far but we are going with the figures received at the moment. We plan to conduct an assessment with the government soon,” Alwy said.
County Livestock Marketing chairman Khalif Hirbae urged the government to urgently provide livestock feed to save the remaining animals.
He appealed to the government to compensate those who have lost their animals to drought.
Earlier this week, the National Drought Management Authority announced a Sh30 million slaughter-to-destock programme targeting at least 10,000 animals in Lamu at risk of dying due to the drought.
The programme will start early this month.
Dahir said on Wednesday that at least 3,000 cattle will be slaughtered and used to feed hungry residents while another 10,000 will be purchased from affected owners under the off-take programme.
The programme also targets at least 25,000 pastoralist households for the National Livestock Insurance project set to commence in December.
There is also a commercial offtake programme targeting at least 15,000 livestock, mostly cattle, in areas hard hit by the drought.
Edited by A.N
