The government will set aside Sh350 million to buy emaciated livestock in drought-hit regions, Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi has said.
Linturi, who spoke in Kajiado, said the animals will later be slaughtered and the meat distributed to residents, most of whom are facing starvation.
The programme, the CS said, may not necessarily end up at the Kenya Meat Commission (KMC).
"We will use the money to pay the farmers and still distribute the meat to them to cushion them against losses from the death of their livestock," said Linturi.
The CS, who had been hosted by area Governor Joseph ole Lenku, noted the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) had run such a programme in other parts of the country.
KMC would buy the weak animals from farmers and fatten them before slaughter. However, the agency is yet to be allocated funds for the programme this season.
Senior KMC officials said they are hopeful the agency will be allocated funds for the programme in the supplementary budget.