EMBU, Kenya- The government has announced plans to establish national animal feed reserves in a bold move aimed at protecting livestock and pastoralist livelihoods from devastating drought-related losses.
Speaking during the launch of the EMKITHA (Embu, Kirinyaga and Tharaka Nithi) Dairy Cooperative Union at Kigari Teachers Training College in Embu County, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture Mutahi Kagwe said the initiative seeks to prevent a repeat of past drought disasters that claimed more than 2.5 million animals and caused economic losses estimated at over KSh50 billion, mainly in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL).
“Drought is no longer an emergency; it is a recurring reality. We must act before losses occur,” Kagwe said.
“The government is committed to protecting pastoralist assets through structured feed and water provision, animal off-take programmes, and strong disease control measures, alongside long-term strategies to stop droughts from escalating into emergencies.”
CS Mutahi Kagwe: We know for a fact that a drought is coming. Let us prepare for it.
Under the new plan, strategic animal feed reserves, including silage, hay, and other drought-tolerant fodder, will be stockpiled during periods of surplus and released during dry spells.
County governments will lead the planning, stocking, and distribution of the feed, while the national government will provide funding, coordination, and technical support.
Cooperatives will serve as key delivery agents to ensure timely access to feed by livestock owners, supported by early warning systems to trigger rapid deployment and prevent livestock deaths and distress sales.
“We cannot allow drought to wipe out livestock livelihoods. Feed reserves are critical to stabilising incomes, protecting food production, and preventing losses worth billions of shillings,” Kagwe emphasised.
To further safeguard the livestock sector, the government will enforce strict controls on livestock movement from counties affected by Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) and other outbreaks.
County Commissioners and security agencies will oversee enforcement, alongside intensified vaccination campaigns, including anthrax, and strengthened biosecurity at livestock checkpoints.
The Cabinet Secretary also underscored the role of organised dairy cooperatives in boosting productivity and resilience.
He urged farmers to focus on increasing milk yields per cow through improved feeding and management rather than expanding herd sizes.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has ordered the creation of national animal feed reserves to prevent a SH50 billion loss in the livestock sector #NewsDesk
Embu County currently produces about 101.3 million litres of milk annually, valued at approximately Sh5.2 billion, with average productivity at eight litres per cow per day.
Kagwe noted that better feeding, improved husbandry, and stronger cooperative coordination could significantly raise output.
The government will also expand its cooperative-based input delivery model, including continued fertiliser subsidies, improved farmer targeting through enhancements to the KIAMIS system, and the rollout of structured animal off-take programmes to cushion farmers during drought periods.
Kagwe confirmed that additional funding has been approved for more milk coolers in Embu County, building on the 13 units delivered last year at a cost of over Sh70 million.
The investment aims to reduce post-harvest losses and improve milk quality.
He reiterated that county governments remain on the frontline of drought preparedness and livestock protection, with the national government providing oversight and support.
“We cannot afford reactive responses. Preparedness, coordination, and accountability are key,” he said.
The launch of EMKITHA marked a major milestone in strengthening the dairy sector through farmer empowerment, value addition, and sustainable livelihoods.
The union is expected to anchor a modern, integrated dairy value chain, enhancing production, aggregation, processing, and market access, while delivering better incomes for farmers, creating jobs, and positioning Embu as a leading dairy and agribusiness hub.
County leaders lauded the partnership with the national government, terming it critical to building a resilient, competitive, and inclusive dairy economy for Embu County.
The event was attended by Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, Deputy Governor Justus Kinywa Mugo, Senator Munyi Mundigi, Woman Representative Njoki Njeru, Kenya Dairy Board Chairman Genesio Mugo, several Members of County Assembly, and other leaders.
