Kenya rolls out US$37.5M drought plan as Turkana farmers receive modern beehives

KENYA – The Kenyan national government will spend about KSh 6 billion (US$37.5 million) over the next few months to support drought mitigation efforts, even as it steps up livelihood support projects in hard-hit counties such as Turkana.

Livestock Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke announced the measures during a visit to Turkana County, where he handed over more than 100 modern beehives to farmer groups from Loima and Turkana Central to support commercial honey production.

“Today in Turkana County, we delivered over 100 modern beehives to farmer groups from Loima and Turkana Central to support commercial honey production,” Mueke said in a statement. “Our focus remains on protecting livelihoods and strengthening resilience.”

Mueke said the government expects to spend about KSh 6 billion (US$37.5 million) on drought interventions over the next three to five months. Of this amount, the national government will provide KSh 4 billion (US$25 million), while development partners and private actors will contribute KSh 2 billion (US$12.5 million).

“In terms of budget, we are expecting for the next three or five months to spend about KSh 6 billion or so on different drought interventions,” he said during a Citizen TV interview.

The planned support includes cash transfers, emergency hay for farmers, livestock insurance, and off-take programmes aimed at helping pastoralists sell animals before conditions worsen.

Mueke also confirmed the release of KSh 500 million (US$3.13 million) for animal feeds and the submission of the drought intervention budget for water tracking, veterinary medicines, vaccines, and other animal health services.

Livestock protection and rising pressure

The PS said the mass vaccination programme has already covered more than nine million animals, helping protect herds from disease as farmers move in search of pasture. “Livestock covered under the Mass Vaccination Program are protected from disease outbreaks, safeguarding access to local and export markets,” he said.

Kenya is currently facing its most severe drought since 1981, with Arid and Semi-Arid Lands counties bearing the brunt. These regions cover about 89 percent of the country’s landmass, host roughly 36 percent of the population, and hold about 70 percent of the national livestock herd. Livestock from these areas contributes between 12 and 16 percent of Kenya’s GDP and supplies most of the meat consumed locally.

In Mandera County, the situation has already taken a toll on household nutrition. “As we speak, about 67,000 households have been impacted,” said Mustafa Adan, the Kenya Red Cross coordinator in Mandera. “The drought has severely affected nutritional status, with malnutrition cases rising due to lack of milk and loss of livelihoods.”

As dry conditions persist, the government says it will continue to combine emergency support with livelihood-focused projects to cushion pastoral communities and protect a sector central to Kenya’s economy.

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