Gov’t rolls out Ksh.2.1B livestock plan ahead of El Niño rains

The government has rolled out a Ksh.2.1 billion plan to protect livestock farmers and pastoral communities ahead of the forecast El Niño rains, even as disaster response officials sound the alarm for residents of Mandera, warning them to brace for rainfall levels not witnessed since 1997.

Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe says the lessons of the 2023 El Niño and the 2024 floods will not be repeated on his watch.

In Isiolo County, CS Kagwe launched the National Livestock Sector El Niño Preparedness and Anticipatory Action Plan, targeting 24 flood-prone and high livestock population counties, among them Garissa, Wajir, Mandera and Isiolo.

“Sisi tumetenga Ksh.2.1 billion for the purposes of managing El Niño in the livestock sector alone,” said CS Kagwe.

As for the bulk of the funding, Ksh.1.5 billion will go toward pre-positioning vaccines, veterinary medicines and mobile clinics to head off disease outbreaks like Rift Valley Fever, which typically follow flooding.

The rest will secure livestock markets, water points, feed reserves, and fund farmer awareness campaigns.

The Cabinet Secretary warned that pastoralists risk losing entire herds if animals are left grazing in low-lying areas once the rains intensify.

Hii mvua ikija tutapoteza mbuzi tusipochunga, kwa sababu tukiweka mbuzi kwa low-lying areas hiyo ni kusema hiyo mvua itachukua mbuzi, ng'ombe na chochote kile kiko kwa njia yake,” CS Kagwe said.

It is not just livestock officials on high alert. The Ministry of Education says it has mapped out schools at risk of flooding, in case learning is disrupted during the exam period, while the government is also assuring those likely to be affected of food security, as food items have already been moved to those areas.

“Tumefanya mapping ili tujue counties zipi ambazo kuna uwezekano wa kuwa na mafuriko ama mambo ya El Niño, na tutahitaji container ngapi, tutahitaji mpango gani, in case kwa mfano shule fulani itahitaji usaidizi,” said Education Principal Secretary John Ololtuuaa stated.

Broadcasting and Telecommunications PS Stephen Isaboke added, “There will be early communication, warnings and action.”

“The government is well prepared. Individual action is key. Those living in riparian land should move to safer areas,” Government Spokesman Charles Owino said.

Further north in Mandera, the warnings are even more urgent. The Director of the National Disaster Operations Centre, Colonel (Retired) David Samoei, was in the county to assess flood preparedness, and says residents should expect rainfall comparable to the devastating 1997 El Niño season.

Samoei is urging residents in flood-prone areas to relocate before the rains peak, warning that transport corridors in the north-eastern area could be affected adversely.

“Wananchi wajipange kutoka mahali maji itapitia, wasije wakasombwa na maji. Tunaangalia pia impact ya hii mvua, mojawapo itakuwa kwa njia, hii barabara ya Mandera-Wajir all the way to Garissa ama Isiolo, itaathirika sana na hii mvua,” he said.

He is calling on traders to stockpile food supplies while roads remain passable, cautioning that some communities may still be underestimating just how severe this rainy season could be.

For a region still recovering from the last El Niño's toll on herds, homes and roads, the message from both livestock and disaster officials is the same: prepare now, or pay for it later.