[Farmers at a farm inspecting crops. Wajir farmers received Sh42m as drought bites from the national government.] (Photo/Star)
The national government on Tuesday gave out Sh42 million to livestock farmers in Wajir County to mitigate against the effects of persistent drought.
The cheques of the cash totaling Sh42,583,800 under the Kenya Livestock Insurance Programme was issued by Agriculture Ps Andrew Tuimur who was accompanied by his Tourism counterpart Fatuma Hirsi at the Baraza Park in Wajir town.
Fatuma Hirsi urged residents to use the money wisely.
“We need to fight together and end drought cycle by using the funds wisely", she said.
On his part, Tuimur challenged residents to lay down strategies to deal with bad weather that has led to the destruction of crops and caused deaths of livestock in the region.
“The project was launched in Turkana and Wajir in 2014, and we have hopes that it will grow in the coming years,” he said.
He assured that the government is committed to prevent loss of livestock.
Wajir is among the worst hit counties by drought due to lack of rains.
Other counties hit by prolonged drought include; Baringo, Garissa, Isiolo, Mandera, Marsabit, Samburu, Tana River and Turkana.