The national government has boosted drought recovery efforts in Marsabit County after distributing 100 camels to vulnerable families in Kargi under its ongoing livestock restocking initiative. The programme, coordinated by the State Department for ASALs and Regional Development in partnership with the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), aims to help households rebuild herds lost during successive drought seasons. Another 100 camels were earlier distributed in Butiye Ward of Moyale Constituency, forming part of a wider county plan to deliver 400 camels across the four constituencies.
Speaking during the handover, Principal Secretary for ASALs and Regional Development Kello Harsama said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to restoring livelihoods in arid regions where livestock is central to food security, income, and cultural identity. He noted that the programme aligns with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), whose priority is strengthening resilience among communities most exposed to climate shocks. NDMA reports show that although drought conditions have eased, the after-effects remain severe, with nearly two million people still food insecure and hundreds of thousands of children and mothers requiring urgent nutrition support.
The restocking programme forms part of a larger resilience strategy that includes water infrastructure upgrades, irrigation expansion, drought early-warning systems, and livestock value-chain development. The government has allocated additional funding to support similar interventions across all 23 ASAL counties. Local leaders, including Laisamis MP Joseph Lekuton, welcomed the camel distribution, describing it as a crucial step in helping families regain stability after years of hardship. He urged continued investment in drought mitigation, rangeland management, and pastoral economy strengthening to protect the gains made so far.
Beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the government’s support, saying the camels will enhance milk production, boost household income, and accelerate their recovery. County officials, among them MCA Chris Ogom, Nominated MCA Lucy Kargiya, and NDMA County Coordinator Guyo Golisha, attended the event and reaffirmed their commitment to community-focused drought recovery efforts. The latest distribution in Kargi marks a significant milestone in restoring dignity and hope to pastoral families whose livelihoods were decimated by prolonged drought.