The government has launched a Sh2.1 billion preparedness plan to protect livestock farmers and pastoral communities from the expected effects of El Niño rains, with vaccines, veterinary supplies, evacuation and early warning systems at the centre of the response.
Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe launched the National Livestock Sector El Niño Preparedness and Anticipatory Action Plan in Isiolo on Thursday, targeting 24 counties considered vulnerable because of flooding risks or their large livestock populations.
The plan is designed to shift the government from responding after disasters occur to taking action before livestock, infrastructure and livelihoods are lost.
Sh1.5 billion set aside for disease prevention
The largest allocation, Sh1.5 billion, will be used to pre-position vaccines, veterinary medicines, laboratory reagents, protective equipment, mobile veterinary clinics and emergency response kits in the targeted counties.
The government is also setting aside Sh250 million to protect critical livestock infrastructure, including cattle dips, livestock markets, slaughterhouses, milk cooling facilities, veterinary laboratories and feed stores.
Another Sh100 million will support livestock evacuation, welfare and logistics, while Sh50 million will go towards strategic feed and fodder reserves, rehabilitation of water points and emergency water supplies.
A further Sh100 million will support early warning systems, climate risk mapping, emergency communication, farmer awareness, biosecurity measures, livestock insurance sensitisation and contingency planning.
Kagwe said the measures were informed by the losses experienced during previous extreme weather events.
“The 2023 El Niño and the 2024 long rains floods caused devastating losses to our livestock farmers, destroyed critical infrastructure and triggered disease outbreaks that set back the sector significantly,” Kagwe said.
“We therefore need to learn from our experiences … so that our farmers and pastoralists are not caught unprepared.”
24 counties to receive initial support
The first phase covers Garissa, Tana River, Lamu, Kilifi, Isiolo, Wajir, Mandera, Marsabit, Turkana, Samburu, Narok, Kajiado, Baringo, West Pokot, Busia, Kisumu, Siaya, Migori, Homa Bay, Kitui, Makueni, Machakos, Meru and Embu.
More counties could be added depending on weather advisories from the Kenya Meteorological Department.
The meteorological department has warned that a likely El Niño signal towards the end of 2026 could enhance rainfall during the October-November-December season, increasing flooding risks in vulnerable areas.
Why livestock owners are being urged to prepare
Kagwe warned livestock keepers against leaving animals in low-lying and flood-prone areas as rainfall intensifies.
The concern goes beyond direct livestock deaths. Flooding can damage grazing areas, water infrastructure, livestock markets and roads while creating conditions that allow animal diseases and disease vectors to spread.
The preparedness plan will therefore operate under the One Health framework, linking human, animal and environmental health surveillance.
Vaccination and traceability also expanded
Principal Secretary for Livestock Development Jonathan Mueke said more than 20 million cattle, sheep and goats had already been vaccinated nationwide.
The government also launched the Animal Identification and Traceability System in Isiolo, aimed at improving livestock identification, movement tracking and traceability as Kenya seeks to strengthen access to domestic and international markets.
The livestock programme forms part of a wider national preparedness effort. All 47 counties have been directed to map flood-prone areas, identify safer evacuation grounds and protect lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure ahead of the anticipated rains.
Kenya is also finalising arrangements for potential World Bank emergency financing of about $400 million to help respond to crises including El Niño-related disruptions to agriculture and water resources.
For livestock-dependent households, the government says the priority is clear: move early, protect animals and supplies, and prevent a weather emergency from becoming a livelihood crisis.
