The State has announced plans to start buying livestock from next week as a measure to mitigate the drought crisis in the country.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi said the Livestock off-take programme will target at least 13 counties experiencing the worst drought levels.
The CS, who spoke in Kajiado when he toured the county to assess the drought situation, Linturi said President William Ruto has already directed the National Treasury to that effect.
“We visited Sajiloni and Isinya livestock markets and it’s a sad state of affairs for livestock farmers. There is high number of livestock deaths recorded in the area due to the prolonged drought,”Linturi said.
Livestock Principal Secretary Harry Kimutai, area Governor Joseph Ole Lenku, Senator Samuel Seki and senior government officials accompanied him.
"The livestock off-take programme is aimed at cushioning farmers from incurring losses due to the prolonged drought,"Linturi said.
The CS said the livestock off-take will be conducted in conjunction with the Kenya Meat Commission to guarantee safety of the meat.
Linturi assured that his ministry will continue with efforts to find a long lasting solution to the problem by introducing improved farming technologies and drought resistant crops in semi-arid and arid areas.
