Marsabit, Kenya – In a bid to address recurrent droughts, floods, and food insecurity, Marsabit County is rolling out initiatives to diversify livelihoods for local pastoralist communities. Traditionally reliant on livestock, many residents have faced repeated losses of cattle, camels, and goats due to erratic weather patterns and persistent droughts. The county government, partnering with the World Food Programme (WFP), is now introducing climate-smart agricultural solutions, including fish and crop farming, aimed at boosting nutrition and household incomes.
The program, which has been underway for three years, includes distribution of free seeds for fast-growing crops such as maize and beans, as well as the establishment of tilapia fish ponds in arid areas like North Horr, Moyale, and Saku constituencies. The Chalbi Rural Development Initiative, a self-help group of 40 men and women, has successfully stocked ponds with tilapia, creating an alternative source of protein and income. Local farmers receive dividends from each harvest, which they use to pay school fees, invest in small businesses, and save for table-banking schemes, fostering economic resilience.
County Fisheries Officer Sostine Wanjala emphasized that tilapia is well-suited for semi-arid conditions, requiring minimal water that can be supplemented through boreholes, springs, and rainwater harvesting. Residents such as Katelo Guyo, who lost most of his livestock to drought, have embraced fish farming as a sustainable livelihood, reporting steady income and improved food security. WFP Supply Chains Officer Albert Mwambonu noted that community sensitization campaigns on the nutritional and economic benefits of fish are gradually overcoming cultural reservations, signaling a promising shift in the county’s approach to climate adaptation.