The Kenya livestock marketing chairman Dubat Amey demanded the government to form and establish an assessment on livestock as well as buy animal feeds for pastoralists. Speaking to the press after touring the livestock market, he said that the fact that locusts have devoured the vegetation, this has only made matters worse for the pastoralists who depend on it for their livestock survival.
He appealed to the national government to come on board and give the assistance to the farmers in form of animals feeds, vaccines and water tinkering.
“We all know that it’s the national government that controls the biggest chunk of funds and so they should move with speed and provide assistance to our people. we don’t want to witness last minute rush assistance as has been the case in the past,” said Amey.”The government both national and county have tried to help pastoralists but that is a drop in the ocean, the government should inject funds to the livestock sector,” he told the journalists at the livestock market.
Mr Amey said the government should also do an off take program to avert mass loss of livestock as a result of the drought that is continuing to ravage the area. Hundreds of livestock who were visibly emaciated animals chewed cud as the owners keep watch of the herds at the famous Garissa livestock market. Livestock farmers in the market who spoke to the press urged the government to assist them with hay for their animals.