Put mitigation measures to curb drought in northern counties- KLMC

KLMC wants the governments to launch a livestock off take programme so animals are bought from herders for slaughter when they are still in good condition. (Courtesy)

GARISSA—The Kenya Livestock Marketing Council (KLMC) has warned against a severe early drought that is said to affect mostly the northern counties.

Speaking to members of the press in Garissa town the council’s national chairman, Dubat Amey said the short and long rains that were expected early and late last year failed in many parts of the country.

“We are asking the county governments of this affected areas where 90% of the people’s livelihood is derived from livestock to address the issue.” Amey said.

Amey noted that open water sources such as dams and wells will dry up in the next 4-6 weeks due to projected sunny conditions that started last month.

He urged both the national and county government to start early drought mitigation measures to curb the suffering that most herders go through.

Garissa Governor Ali Korane during a meeting at a Garissa hotel with Swiss ambassador to Kenya Ralf Heckner and a delegation of UN implementing departments’ agents who were accompanied by resident administrator Siddharth Chatterjee, appealed to the international community to help poor residents to get alternative sources of income so they don’t rely on relief food.

Korane said pastoralists are the most affected by the drought.

Most have moved with their livestock to neighboring Lamu, Tana River, Isiolo, Wajir, Tharaka Nithi, Kitui and Meru counties because of the drought .Some pastoralists have moved to Somalia.

KLMC wants the governments to launch a livestock off take programme so animals are bought from herders for slaughter when they are still in good condition.