Kenya launches El Niño contingency plan to protect livestock

Nairobi (ANTARA) - The Kenyan government on Thursday (10/9) launched the National Livestock Sector Preparedness and Anticipatory Action Plan in facing El Niño, valued at approximately US$16.2 million.

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Mutahi Kagwe, emphasised the government’s commitment to proactively protecting Kenya’s livestock sector before losses occur due to the impacts of El Niño.

“El Niño in 202_ and flooding due to prolonged rainy seasons in 2024 caused significant losses for livestock farmers, destroying critical infrastructure and triggering disease outbreaks that significantly hindered the progress of the livestock sector,” said Kagwe in a statement released in Isiolo, eastern Kenya.

“Therefore, we need to learn from our experiences, and this is why we are determined to ensure that our farmers and herders no longer face situations without preparation,” Kagwe added.

The initiative was undertaken following warnings from the Kenya Meteorological Department, which predicts an increased risk of heavy rain, flash floods, and waterlogging in several key regions.

By prioritising proactive intervention over post-disaster recovery, the plan targets 24 high-risk areas with high livestock density.

Government projections indicate that the strategy will protect the livestock value chain, prevent disease outbreaks, minimise losses, and reduce national-level disaster recovery costs.