Kenya’s Turkana County distributes livestock to families hit by drought, insecurity

KENYA – Over 170 households in Katilu and Lokapel are receiving goats and sheep from the Turkana County Government in a restocking programme aimed at helping residents recover from recent livestock losses.

The initiative has seen 856 animals distributed, with each household receiving five goats or sheep as part of a wider plan to support families affected by drought, animal diseases, and security-related losses.

Beneficiaries like Lobar Lokui, a mother of three from Lokapel, said the livestock would allow her to support her family again after losing her previous herd.

Another resident, 45-year-old Eporon Awol, who lost all his livestock last year, shared that the animals he received would help him begin rebuilding his livelihood.

The distribution is led by the County’s Directorate of Livestock Development, which is focusing on areas most impacted by repeated crises such as food insecurity and cattle raids.

County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Livestock Development and Fisheries Wangiros Longole said the current phase is targeting vulnerable communities, starting with Katilu and Lokapel due to their heightened need.

To extend the recovery process beyond livestock, Longole revealed that certified crop seeds would soon be distributed to selected households to support farming activities and food production.

The project also includes measures to enhance transparency, with the Director of Livestock Production, Bobby Ewoi, stating that involving local stakeholders has improved trust and ensured that the selection of beneficiaries is led by the community.

Ewoi added that as livestock populations are restored and local markets begin to function again, dependency on relief food should decline across Turkana South, East, and North.

The livestock restocking is part of a larger financial plan backed by the Ward Development Fund, which has allocated approximately US$385,000 (Kshs 50 million) for the programme.

William Etubon, the Member of County Assembly for the area and head of the Agriculture Committee, said the programme was a joint effort between his office, the Governor, and the county administration.

The goats and sheep were sourced from local suppliers, including the Forty-One Champions Youth Group, which received the contract to deliver the animals.

Lawrence Silale, the group’s chairperson, noted that this was the first major contract awarded to them, signaling a shift towards including youth groups in county tenders.

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