A livestock off-take scheme will be implemented by the government through the Kenya Meat Commission (KMC), according to the Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. This policy is intended to protect pastoralists from the severe consequences of the ongoing drought.
As the drought worsens in over 20 Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) regions, Gachagua said o nFriday that there is an urgent need to scale up intervention measures. He made this statement after meeting with leaders from county governments and development partners.
“We note with a lot of concern the destruction of livelihoods, livestock herders who have lost livestock are becoming impoverished and their lives almost coming to a halt. As part of mitigation, we have agreed with the KMC and the Kenya Red Cross that we shall purchase livestock for slaughtering and distribution to the needy population for feeding,” he said.
DP Gachagua also said that the Government will prepare beef for distribution to schools to feed students.
The second in charge continued by saying that they had made the decision to establish county steering teams in order to improve coordination among all the stakeholders involved.
The teams will be jointly chaired by governors and county commissioners.
The DP claims that humanitarian relief workers and other non-state actors will be included on the team.
“We want to thank our governors for agreeing to put money aside to partner with the national government and development partners as part of mitigating strategies to help the people of Kenya who have been affected by drought,” he stated.
To further address the water deficit, the Deputy President stated that 100 water bowsers would be mobilized and deployed in the hardest hit regions.
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SMDH