Pastoralists are set to achieve support from a project called De-risking, Inclusion and Value Enhancement of the pastoral economies, (DRIVE) that is to be rolled out and implemented in Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Djibouti.
Kenyan pastoralists in 21 counties will be beneficiaries amongst the rest of the pastoralists from the Horn of Africa who will benefit from $140 million (Sh18.6 billion). The support is aimed at building the resilience of pastoral communities and shielding them against severe drought and enhancing integration in the economy.
These 21 counties are the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) which include; Turkana, Marsabit, Tana River, Wajir, Garissa, Mandera, Tharaka Nithi, Meru, Samburu, Isiolo, Baringo, West Pokot, Narok, Laikipia, Kajiado, Makueni, Kitui, Lamu, Kilifi, Kwale, and Taita Taveta are set to benefit from the project.
Principal Secretary for Livestock Development Harry Kimtai emphasized the urgency in assisting up to 250, 000 households who are faced with challenges especially with the prolonged drought witnessed earlier and current floods in the regions. The project will support 1.6 million pastoralists across the four countries for a duration of five years.
” In Kenya, over 150,000 pastoralists are expected to benefit from the project across the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs),” said PS Kimtai. Adding that through the project the pastoralists will be derisked through a package of financial services and Livestock Value Chains and Trade Facilitation.
The DRIVE project is set to de-risk pastoral systems at the primary level as well as create markets around the livestock value chain, enhancing regional co-operation, peacebuilding, drought index insurance, savings, digital accounts, and financial literacy push. Also entails addressing climate mitigation improvement, fodder conservation, increased productivity, and closing the gender gap in access to financial services.
PS Kimtai revealed that through the DRIVE project, not only will resilience against drought be built but also, borderland conflicts will be addressed which will in turn ease the trade of livestock and livestock products in the regions.
