NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 16 – The government has announced plans to establish strategic animal feed reserves to shield pastoralist communities from the devastating economic effects of drought, which in the past has wiped out livestock worth billions of shillings.
Speaking at the launch of the Emkitha Dairy Cooperative Union in Embu County, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development Mutahi Kagwe emphasized the recurring threat posed by droughts.
He noted that the last major drought resulted in the loss of over 2.5 million livestock and inflicted economic damage exceeding Sh50 billion, severely impacting pastoralist livelihoods in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL).
“Drought is no longer an emergency; it is a recurring reality,” Kagwe said.
“We must act before losses occur.”
Under the new directive, the government will stockpile silage, hay, and other drought-resilient fodder during periods of plenty.
These reserves will be deployed during dry spells to ensure livestock survival and reduce economic losses.
Counties will take the lead in planning, storing, and distributing animal feed, while the national government will provide funding, technical guidance, and overall coordination.
Cooperatives will serve as the main delivery agents, ensuring that supplies reach farmers efficiently. Early warning systems will trigger timely feed distribution, preventing distress sales and unnecessary livestock deaths.
“Feed reserves are critical to stabilizing incomes, protecting food production, and reducing losses worth billions of shillings,” Kagwe emphasized.
The government will also strengthen measures to control livestock movement from areas affected by Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and other outbreaks.
County Commissioners and security personnel will enforce restrictions, while vaccination campaigns for diseases such as anthrax will be intensified and biosecurity at livestock checkpoints enhanced.
At the Emkitha Cooperative launch, Kagwe highlighted the role of organized dairy cooperatives in boosting productivity and resilience.
He encouraged farmers to focus on improving milk yields through better nutrition and herd management, rather than simply increasing herd sizes.
Currently, Embu County produces about 101.3 million litres of milk annually, valued at Sh 5.2 billion. However, average milk production per cow stands at just eight litres per day.
CS Kagwe noted that with improved feeding, husbandry practices, and coordinated cooperative efforts, the 19 Emkitha cooperatives could collectively produce over 397,000 litres of milk daily.
To further support pastoralists and dairy farmers, the government will expand its cooperative-based input delivery model.
Fertilizer subsidies will continue, with cooperatives facilitating last-mile distribution and providing loans. A similar framework for feed support is under discussion.
Adjustments to the Kenya Input Access Management Information System (KIAMIS) will ensure benefits reach registered farmers directly, with cooperatives handling distribution.
Structured animal off-take programmes will also be rolled out to prevent distress sales during drought periods.
Kagwe confirmed that additional funding has been approved for more milk coolers in Embu County, complementing last year’s delivery of 13 coolers worth over Sh70 million.
The new equipment is expected to reduce post-harvest losses, maintain milk quality, and enable quality-based payments, encouraging farmers to adopt better hygiene and safety practices.
