Residents of remote Mwachipanga village in Mbuguni, Kwale county have lived in abject poverty for many years.
However, this is about to change after receiving 228 galla goats to improve livestock breeds and livelihoods.
The goats were donated by the county government in partnership with the national government through the Kenya Marine Fisheries and Socio-Economic Development Project. It is a Sh3.6 million project.
The new breeds are expected to breathe life into livestock farming in the area and provide families with a source of income and help them become self-sufficient.
Livestock keeping and crop farming have been a major source of livelihood for the area community but failed because of the prolonged drought and diseases.
The galla goats which can withstand harsh climatic conditions and diseases, have a faster growth rate, higher market weight and produce more milk and meat, are set to reverse the trend.
A farmer, Mwanaharusi Mwatabu, said the goats will promote their livestock farming and help survive the harsh economic times.
"It is a relief for us, now the goats are our investments and we bank on them to change lives," she said.
Mwatabu said in one year, they would have doubled the number of livestock hence amassing a lot of wealth.
The galla goats take a shorter period to mature thus suitable for cross-breeding and livestock business.
Mwatabu said life wouldn't be the same again since their animals would have a higher bargaining price.
She said they will use the benefits to educate their children and uplift lives.
Mwatabu said they look forward to building modern houses and engaging in several investments through the project.
At the moment, most residents live in Makuti thatched and mud houses.
Mwatabu said the farmers will sell quality milk and meat for better profits.
Swaleh Hamisi said the galla goats will improve his livestock breed.
He said the traditional goats take many years to mature and sell at low prices compared to the new breed.
"A traditional goat is sold at Sh4,000 or below but one galla goat could go for Sh12,000 or more," he said, adding that project will play a key role in fighting poverty and improving lives.
Hamisi said their success journey has just begun and they will take advantage of the project to change their socioeconomic status.
"We have already beat poverty because these breeds are sure bet," he said.
KMFSED county project coordinator Samuel Bandari said they are one hundred per cent sure the galla goats will sustain locals' livelihoods.
He said they have trained and capacity build the farmers to do productive modern livestock keeping.
Bandari said they have ensured farmers are linked to agricultural officers to provide more insights and techniques to successfully do livestock farming.
Previously, the farmers used to eat the galla goats or recklessly sell them and ended up not benefiting from the project.
However, Bandari said KMFSED has laid down affirmative actions to prevent farmers from going against the project.
"The approach applied is very unique because we have first educated on group dynamics and investment and the benefit of doing this type of farming," he said.
He said the distributed goats are expected to be breeding stocks where other farmers will buy from colleagues to promote livestock farming and the economy.
Governor Fatuma Achani said the government intends to revive livestock farming to boost food security and transform the economy of residents.
"The project is designed to build resilient and empowered local farmers to have better breeds, food on the table and stable income activities," she said.
Achani said her administration is at the front line to bring development to the doorsteps of citizens, and that they benefit from sustainable livelihood projects.
She said at the moment, the galla goats were distributed to two registered farmers' groups that have over 40 members, however, more groups will be reached.
She said the county will increase water connectivity for residents to have access to clean drinking water, livestock keeping and agricultural activities.