The national government in collaboration with the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) yesterday  kicked off a Sh 23.7 million livestock offtake programme in Samburu county. It targets over 30,000 vulnerable households which have been affected by the ongoing drought which was coupled by locust invasion.

Speaking during the launch of the programme at Lpetpet Primary School in Kisima town, Samburu Central Deputy County Commissioner Titus Omanyi said 1,586 weak livestock will be bought from herders in the county and then slaughtered for consumption by the community as relief meat.

“The offtake programme aims at cushioning herders from the ravages of drought by buying off weak animals instead of losing them to devastating drought,” he said adding:  “the government buys the weak animals and feeds the same community and as a result, there is improved nutrition and purchasing power,” he said.

Omanyi said that one cow will be bought at Sh15,000 while a goat or a sheep will go for Sh3,000 adding that KRCS will use mobile money to pay herders within 24 hours after slaughter.  

– KNA