Government Steps Up Drought Preparedness to Protect Pastoral Livelihoods
The Principal Secretary for Livestock Development, Hon. Jonathan Mueke, has revealed that the last severe drought claimed more than 2.5 million livestock and caused economic losses estimated at over KSh 50 billion, devastating pastoralist livelihoods across Kenya’s Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) regions.
Speaking on the current situation, Mueke noted that the failure of consecutive rainy seasons, coupled with widespread water scarcity in most ASAL counties, has led to a sharp deterioration of pastoral livelihoods. He said depleted pasture and water resources have placed immense pressure on livestock, the main source of income for pastoral communities.
Drawing lessons from the impacts of the previous drought, the PS said he convened a high-level drought preparedness meeting bringing together a multisectoral team from the State Department. The meeting focused on putting in place early and coordinated mitigation measures aimed at preventing a repeat of the massive losses witnessed during the last drought.
Mueke emphasized that early action is critical in cushioning pastoralists from the worst effects of drought, noting that delayed interventions often turn manageable dry spells into full-blown humanitarian emergencies.
He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to protecting pastoralist assets through key interventions, including fodder and water provision, structured livestock off-take programmes, and enhanced disease surveillance and control measures.
In addition to short-term responses, the PS said the Government is also implementing long-term strategies to build resilience in ASAL regions, ensuring that future droughts do not escalate into national emergencies and that pastoral communities can sustainably safeguard their livelihoods.
