The government plans to increase the number of counties in semi and arid areas benefiting from a livestock insurance seeking to cushion farmers from losses during drought.
Livestock Principal Secretary Andrew Tuimur said currently only six counties are benefiting from the scheme that was started two years ago.
Tuimur said more counties will be brought on board as most farmers continue to bear the brunt of drought ravaging the country.
"We have seen what drought has done to our farmers and the government is keen to enroll more counties into this insurance scheme project," he said.
He said the government plans to offer payment to farmers from the six counties next week.
Speaking to the press in Kisumu on Friday during a parliamentary committee on agriculture reviewing clauses on Livestock and Livestock Products Development and Marketing Bill 2016, the PS said farmers will be compensated for their animals that perished due to drought.
Tuimur said the government will showcase with the compensation of farmers next week that the insurance scheme is a successful initiative.
He said farmers are advised to keep part of the money to purchase more animals during rainy season.
The PS said the Bill in discussion will help the government to roll out the scheme to a number of counties that are at risk of drought.