More than 1,000 farmers in Kerio Valley have received dairy goats for milk production.
The initiative is part of the economic empowerment programmes spearheaded by Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wesley Rotich to help transform the lives of residents.
The initiative is financed by the World Bank under the Emergency Locust Response Programme for families affected by desert locust in 2020.
Most farmers have received hybrid toggenberg goats, which have production capacity of between 3.8 and five litres of milk per day.
Most beneficiaries are members of youth and women groups.
County officials, led by agriculture executive Edwin Seroney, gave out 797 goats to farmers in Endo and Arror wards.
“Through this initiative we believe we will transform the lives of families that have benefited because they will produce high quality milk for self consumption and sale,” Seroney said.
He led the distribution of 253 goats at Chepkum Primary School, where he asked residents to focus on farm practices that are not capital and labour intensive to improve their income.
"Goat milk is on high demand the country. Currently the milk retails at a minimum of Sh200 per litre. The milk is also highly nutritious with high butter content," Seroney said.
County assembly agriculture committee chairman Jeremiah Biwott said it was time for the region to supply milk to other parts of the county.
“Through the dairy goats we can envisage that many of our farmers will soon be heading to the markets to sell milk and get income that will boost their livelihoods,” he said.
MCA Justin Mutwol hailed the initiative and asked residents to sustain the initiative so it can create wealth for them.
"I would like to commend Governor Wisley Rotich for his efforts in ensuring that Kerio Valley is now becoming a production zone," he said.
Resident Elizabeth Kiptoo termed the intervention timely.
"This is what we expect as mothers. We have never produced milk enough to feed our children. I am glad that we have been gifted with pasture seeds and sprays," She said.
Livestock chief officer Robert Lagat said farmers have high chances of increasing their herds due to the goats ability to produce twins. He said farmers would quickly increase their herds.
The farmers were also given farm inputs which included knapsack sprayers, dewormers and pasture seeds.