The Government has launched special initiatives to support arid and semi-arid counties, addressing their unique needs beyond the immediate impact of current floods.Peninah Malonza, the East African Community, ASALs, and Regional Development Cabinet Secretary, announced that each of the 23 counties frequently affected by drought will receive KSh 250 million to restock cattle lost to drought last year.
The announcement was made during her visit to flood victims in Kajiado County, where she also supervised the distribution of food aid.In addition to financial aid, the Government plans to acquire 50,000 acres of land across these 23 counties and ten others to establish ranches for cattle fattening, aimed at enhancing the resale value of livestock to Middle Eastern markets.
“President William Ruto’s administration is prioritizing the welfare of pastoralist communities like never before, with special programmes designed to promote their economic empowerment,” Malonza stated.
Further initiatives include funding for pasture development through feedlots, provision of veterinary services, and promoting the economic value of skins and other cattle by-products, which have traditionally been discarded.
Malonza emphasized the Government’s commitment to boosting community resilience and development in areas prone to natural disasters such as droughts and floods.
During her tour, which included stops at Esonorua, Eroret Primary School, Magadi, Kamukuru, Shombole, Olerai, and Ngurumani in Kajiado West Constituency, Malonza was accompanied by Kajiado West MP George Sunkuyia, Principal Secretary Kello Harsama, and other local leaders.
Mr. Sunkuyia urged the Government to prioritize the rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure, including roads, health and educational facilities, and bridges, while also constructing new ones in flood-prone areas.
