About 326 vulnerable pastoral households in Laikipia North subcounty in Laikipia county have benefited from a donation of Galla goats worth Sh17.4 million.
The animals, which were distributed by National Drought Management Authority in partnership with the Indigenous Movement for Peace Advancement and Conflict Transformation, targeted families which had lost their livestock due to drought.
NDMA chief executive Hared Adan while speaking in Kimanjo, Laikipia North, during the distribution exercise said the initiative would boost restocking in the pastoral communities.
"We are supporting the communities in restocking, in Mukogodo East and West, where most [communities were] affected by the prolonged drought and they lost their livestock,” Adan said.
He added that restocking was an initiative by the government to build resilience in the pastoral communities.
"The target is to restock the gala goats which have high milk production and meat and the bucks will be distributed to various groups for cross breeding aimed at improving the traditional breed.”
Adan said they had distributed about 250 bucks and some other 730 female gala goats for cross breeding.
Laikipia North MP Sarah Korere lauded the restocking exercise, saying it would go a long way in enabling pastoral families rebuild their lives.
"In partnership with the government, partners have brought gala goats that can sustain dry weather aimed at supporting the communities. It's good since the government recognises that livestock keeping is also important,” she said.
IMPACT board member Dr Alfred Ole Mosiany reiterated that Galla goats were drought-resistant and had high milk production.
Grace Larpei, one of the beneficiaries, said the initiative was timely and would help the community improve their breed and boost their livelihood.
