Pastoralists to incur Sh200b loss, warns livestock council

By LUCIANNE LIMO

Pastoralists could lose more than Sh200 billion to drought.

Kenya Livestock Marketing Council chairman Ali Wario Thursday said pastoralists would suffer by selling livestock at throwaway prices due to pressure from current drought.

"By converting the livestock to monetary value using the lowest market price for cattle and goats, pastoralists are to lose Sh229 billion," said Wario.

Council CEO Abass Mohammed said it was unfortunate pastoralists would sell their livestock as an emergency without enjoying the best market prices.

"There is need to avoid reacting to drought when it reaches its peak. Instead, proper plans should be put in place since drought has become frequent," added Mohammed.

Reliable solution

He said a sustainable solution to the water and pasture crisis in the regions should be sought to avert livestock deaths.

The most affected districts are Moyale, Marsabit, Isiolo, and Samburu, Turkana, Kajiado, Baringo, Narok, Tana River and Lamu.

Wario faulted the Government for allegedly failing to put in early preventative measures to cushion the more the 12 million Kenyans in arid and semi arid regions affected by the drought.

"The drought was predicted by the Meteorological Department last year and the Government should have put in place precautionary measures by this time instead of last minute rush," added Wario.

On Wednesday, Livestock Minister Mohammed Kuti conceded deaths of livestock had been reported and that the situation could get worse.

The Kenya Red Cross also warned the situation could get worse, saying it would launch an appeal for funds next week. The council regretted pastoralists in arid and semi arid areas were suffering now yet they had not fully recovered from losses caused by drought in 2009.

"The current drought will have more devastating impacts on pastoralists," said Wario.