Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi has launched a Sh59.7 million agriculture support fund aimed at accelerating the county’s shift from traditional pastoralism to climate-smart crop production. Speaking during the launch, Abdullahi said the funds—allocated to 239 groups, each receiving Sh250,000—will directly benefit more than 4,700 households struggling with recurring droughts and livestock losses. An additional Sh25 million will support 185 Common Interest Groups under the Emergency Locust Response Programme, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to more than 3,700 across the county.
Abdullahi highlighted that Wajir’s inclusion in the Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Project (KCSAP), a national initiative under the NEDI programme, has opened new opportunities for transforming food production in the arid region. He said the county plans to open up 5,000 hectares for crop farming and will provide technical mentorship and extension services to help residents diversify their livelihoods. The governor also revealed that his administration intends to acquire tractors for all eight sub-counties, an effort expected to ease land preparation and encourage more households to adopt crop farming alongside livestock keeping.
Residents and county officials have welcomed the new fund, saying it marks a meaningful step toward long-term food security and resilience. Farmers who have already ventured into crop production praised the programme for offering an alternative source of income at a time when droughts are becoming more frequent and severe. County Finance CEC Farah Saman said the initiative aims to gradually shift communities from relying solely on pastoralism, noting that embracing farming will cushion families from the heavy losses experienced when animals die during dry spells. Beneficiaries expressed hope that the support will not only improve household incomes but also strengthen the county’s overall ability to withstand climate shocks.