By Aisha Hussein
Pastoralists in 10 counties have a reason to smile following the recent launch of livestock off-take program meant to cushion them against the effects of the ongoing drought that has resulted to emaciation of livestock.
The counties are Isiolo, Mandera, Kitui, Samburu, Kilifi, Marsabit, Lamu, Turkana, Garissa and Wajir.
The national government’s will spend at least Sh450 million in the first phase in buying the emaciated animals from the herders that will later be processed into corn meat at the Kenya Meat Commission.
During the launch of the programme in Marsabit County, Treasury CS Ukur Yattani said the government will later allocate more funds into the program to benefit herders until the end of the dryspell.
CS Yattani lamented increased economic challenges in the ASAL counties brought about by drought.
Herders in the region have been asked to take advantage of the program to avert further suffering.
