Marsabit leaders have expressed optimism that the Walda integrated Agro- Pastoralism development project will help address challenges caused by climate change and urbanisation.
Governor Mohamud Ali said climate change has significantly impacted livelihoods of local communities who largely depend on livestock.
State Department for Asals and the Ewaso Ng’iro Development Authority selected Marsabit as the pioneering project site for the feedlot initiative.
The project seeks to establish a state-of-the-art feedlot that will accommodate 2,000 livestock.
Livestock will be bred, fed,and fattened in the feedlot, moving away from traditional mobile pastoralism.
Ali underscored the project's importance in light of the dwindling natural resources caused by shifting climatic conditions.
The governor spoke in Sololo town during the public participation exercise for the project.
He was accompanied by Asals PS Kello Harsama
"Pastoralism supports more than 80 per cent of our population, yet it remains unappreciated and under-supported. This initiative offers the much-needed paradigm shift, providing innovative solutions to secure the future of pastoralism," Ali said.
“This change is crucial in combating the adverse effects of climate change, which have led to an 80 per cent reduction in livestock due to decreased pasture productivity and water availability."
He said the project has potential to break the cycles of poverty and vulnerability among pastoral communities.
The governor called for the seamless implementation of the project, pledging his administration's full support.
A dam with a 1.2 million cubic metre capacity and space for 2,000 livestock are some of the key components of the feedlot
Additionally, 1,000 acres will be dedicated to livestock feed production, yielding approximately 50,000 tonnes of fodder annually.
The project also aims to plant two million trees and train 1,000 residents in sustainable livestock practices.
Ali directed instructed the department of livestock and his delivery team to collaborate to realise the project's objectives.
Harsama expressed gratitude to the community for embracing the project, emphasizing its role in ensuring Marsabit is developed.
“As the first county to benefit from this initiative, Marsabit is poised to become a model of pastoral development. The national government will closely work with the county government and other state agencies to ensure the project succeeds,” he said.
Harsama said plans are underway to construct more feedlots in the 490 wards in Asals. The project will cost Sh13 billion.
The PS said the government will prioritise Garissa, Mandera, Tana River, Isiolo, Samburu, Turkana, Baringo, West Pokot, Wajir and Marsabit.
Community elders said the project will enhance milk and meat quality, create jobs and provide a reliable food source during droughts.
“We are calling on all stakeholders to prevent any disruptions to this transformative initiative. We further call for the revival of past projects to complement the feedlot initiative,” Galgalo Boru said.
“Above all we want to commend the collaborative spirit of Governor Ali and PS Harsama. Their ability to move beyond past political differences and focus on community welfare has set a powerful precedent for leadership. This unity, is vital for the project's success and the broader development goals of the region."