Siaya County government has taken a major step to improve local livelihoods by distributing 43 dairy cows to residents of North Gem Ward. The handover, conducted through self-help groups, took place at the Malanga Sublocation Assistant Chief’s office in Gem Yala subcounty on Friday. The initiative, part of the ward’s development budget, aims to enhance income and food security for local households.
North Gem Ward Member of the County Assembly, Philip Obonyo Oluoch, said the project is part of a wider plan to distribute 1,000 dairy cows to residents by the end of 2025. Out of the Sh24 million allocated for ward development, we have invested Sh7 million in this initiative. Beneficiaries will receive daily milk yields that can generate approximately Sh3,000 per month, he explained. The program is expected to provide an income stream that exceeds the monthly stipend given to elderly citizens under the national social support system.
The county’s veterinary team, led by Assistant Director Dr. Mark Otieno, ensured that the animals were vaccinated against endemic diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease. We are closely monitoring the cows to ensure they settle well and remain healthy, he said, noting that one cow had already calved during the handover. Local administrators and community leaders welcomed the initiative, emphasizing its potential to improve household incomes and promote sustainable dairy farming in the ward.
Residents who received the cows expressed gratitude and pledged to apply the skills they learned during prior training sessions on animal husbandry. Beneficiaries, including Michael Otieno Odoli and Jane Orek, said the program will help them enhance nutrition at home and create new economic opportunities. County officials indicated that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to promote agriculture-driven development and food security across Siaya.