Kenya has launched a Ksh 5 billion livestock investment initiative targeting more than 350,000 pastoralists across 21 Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) counties, in a move aimed at boosting livestock production, expanding market access and improving livelihoods in pastoral communities.
President William Ruto unveiled the programme during the 63rd Madaraka Day celebrations held in Wajir County, describing the livestock sector as a critical pillar of the national economy that deserves the same level of attention accorded to crop agriculture.
The initiative is expected to directly benefit over two million household members and will be implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development in partnership with county governments.
At the centre of the programme is the establishment of County Livestock Investment Companies, which will organize pastoralists into structured entities capable of accessing financing, insurance services, markets and value-addition opportunities.
Speaking during the celebrations, President Ruto said the government is committed to transforming the livestock sector into a major driver of economic growth, particularly in Kenya’s ASAL regions where livestock farming remains the primary source of income for millions of households.
The investment drive seeks to address longstanding challenges facing pastoral communities, including limited access to financial services, inadequate market infrastructure and low levels of value addition. By creating investment companies at the county level, the government aims to strengthen the commercial viability of livestock enterprises and increase returns for pastoralists.
The President also highlighted a series of ongoing interventions designed to modernize the sector and enhance its resilience. These include nationwide livestock vaccination campaigns to improve animal health and reduce disease outbreaks, livestock restocking programmes to help communities recover from drought-related losses, and efforts to expand local vaccine production.
Additional measures include rangeland restoration initiatives, livestock breeding improvement programmes and investments in livestock marketing infrastructure intended to improve efficiency across the value chain.
To strengthen extension services and support adoption of modern production practices, the government plans to deploy more agripreneurs across ASAL counties. The agripreneurs will provide technical support to livestock keepers, facilitate market linkages and promote climate-smart livestock production systems.
According to the government, the livestock investment programme forms part of a broader strategy to position Kenya as a regional hub for livestock production and trade. The initiative is expected to enhance the country’s competitiveness in regional and international markets while increasing exports of meat, dairy and leather products.
The programme also reflects the government’s commitment to unlocking the economic potential of pastoral communities and accelerating development in historically marginalized regions.
The announcement comes as Kenya continues to pursue policies aimed at strengthening food security, increasing agricultural productivity and creating sustainable income opportunities for rural communities. Stakeholders expect the new investment framework to improve access to capital, strengthen value chains and create new opportunities for pastoralists to participate more effectively in commercial livestock production.
If successfully implemented, the initiative could mark a significant step toward transforming Kenya’s livestock sector into a more productive, market-oriented and climate-resilient industry while improving the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of pastoral households across the country’s ASAL counties.
