Gov't to establish animal feed reserves to reduce Ksh.50B livestock losses - CS Kagwe

Speaking during the launch of the Emkitha Dairy Cooperative Union in Embu County, Kagwe stated that the recurrent droughts continue to devastate pastoralist communities, noting that the most recent episode led to the death of more than 2.5 million livestock and economic losses exceeding Ksh.50 billion across arid and semi-arid lands.

“Drought is no longer an emergency, it is a recurring reality. We must act before losses occur. The government is committed to protecting pastoralist assets through structured feed and water provision, animal off-take programmes, and disease control measures, while ensuring long-term strategies are in place to prevent future droughts from escalating into emergencies,” Kagwe noted. 

Under the new directive, strategic animal feed reserves, including silage, hay, and other drought fodder, will be stockpiled during periods of surplus and released during dry spells.

Cooperatives will serve as delivery agents to ensure the feed reaches livestock owners efficiently, with early warning systems triggering timely deployment to prevent distress sales and livestock deaths.

“We cannot allow drought to destroy livestock livelihoods. Feed reserves are critical to stabilizing incomes, protecting food production, and reducing losses worth billions of shillings,” the CS pointed out. 

To complement the feed reserves, the government will enforce strict controls on the movement of livestock from counties affected by Foot and Mouth Disease and other outbreaks. 

County Commissioners and security agencies will oversee enforcement, while vaccination campaigns, including against anthrax, will be intensified and biosecurity measures at livestock checkpoints strengthened.

At the Emkitha Dairy Cooperative Union launch, Kagwe also underscored the role of organized cooperatives in boosting dairy productivity and resilience.

He urged farmers to focus on increasing milk output per cow through better feeding and management rather than expanding herd sizes.

Embu County currently produces about 101.3 million litres of milk annually, valued at Ksh.5.2 billion, with average productivity standing at eight litres per cow per day. 

With improved feeding, husbandry practices, and stronger cooperative coordination, production from the 19 cooperatives under Emkitha could rise to more than 397,000 litres daily.

“Farmers can double milk production without adding a single cow. Feed, nutrition, and management, not numbers, are the fastest path to higher incomes,” Kagwe said.

To further support pastoralists and dairy farmers, the government will expand its cooperative-based input delivery model. Fertilizer subsidies will continue under the existing programme, with cooperatives handling last-mile delivery and offering loans to farmers. 

Adjustments to the Kenya Integrated Agricultural Management Information System will ensure registered farmers, rather than intermediaries, benefit directly, while cooperatives act as distribution agents. Structured animal off-take programmes will also be rolled out to prevent distress sales during drought.

Kagwe confirmed that additional funding has been approved for more milk coolers in Embu, building on last year’s delivery of 13 coolers valued at more than Ksh.70 million. 

“We cannot afford reactive responses. Preparedness, coordination, and accountability are key,” the CS noted.