Kagwe Warns of Risks to Kenyan Farmers and Livestock Amid Drought and Unpredictable Rains

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has raised concerns over the increasing risks posed by drought and erratic rainfall to Kenya's farmers and livestock keepers. Speaking in Mombasa, Kagwe highlighted that changing weather patterns are severely impacting crop production and livestock health.

He urged county governments to enhance their preparedness for dry spells by investing in livestock feed reserves to mitigate losses. The CS noted that over 20 million livestock have been vaccinated through a government subsidy programme costing Sh429 million, aiming to curb diseases affecting the sector.

Kagwe emphasized that climate disruptions have already caused livestock deaths and crop destruction, complicating farmers' efforts to sustain production and livelihoods.

Government Support and Technological Interventions

• More than two million farmers have benefited from productivity-boosting technologies via the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) and the Food Systems Resilience Project (FSRP), both backed by the World Bank.
• Over one million farmers access government services, financial aid, and market linkages through digital platforms.
• Approximately 7.3 million farmers are registered on the Kenya Integrated Agricultural Management Information System (KIAMIS).
• Nearly 9,770 young agripreneurs are deployed nationwide to offer services such as farm visits, soil testing, livestock vaccinations, and market and financial linkages.

Kagwe called for a shift from traditional low-productivity farming towards resilient agricultural systems that can withstand climate shocks while improving incomes and employment.

Call for County-Level Action

During consultations with the World Bank reviewing NAVCDP and FSRP progress, Kagwe urged counties to prioritize investments that reduce farmers' vulnerability to drought and other disruptions. Key areas include feed reserves, irrigation infrastructure, disease control, and improved market access.