Samburu County has distributed 150 Galla breed goats to beneficiaries in the upper Baawa region as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen livestock farming, improve food security, and build community resilience against the growing impacts of climate change.
The goats were handed over to selected beneficiaries at Leir Trading Centre in a programme led by the County Department of Environment, Natural Resources, Climate Change and Energy through the Financing Locally Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) initiative.
The distribution forms part of the county government’s broader strategy to promote climate-smart livestock farming by introducing resilient and high-yielding animal breeds to pastoralist communities in both highland and lowland areas.
County officials said the programme is aligned with Governor Lati Lelelit’s development agenda on food security, which seeks to strengthen household livelihoods through climate-resilient livestock production and sustainable pastoralism.
The introduction of Galla goats is expected to enhance livestock productivity among beneficiary households, with the breed widely recognised for its higher milk and meat yields compared to indigenous goat breeds commonly reared in the area.
County leaders noted that the initiative is designed to help communities better withstand climate-related shocks, including prolonged drought, erratic weather patterns, and declining pasture conditions, which continue to threaten pastoral livelihoods across the region.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, County Executive Committee Member for Environment, Natural Resources, Climate Change and Energy Patrick Lekimain said the programme is aimed at improving household resilience while supporting long-term food and nutrition security.
He challenged beneficiaries to adopt proper animal husbandry practices and ensure the animals are well managed in order to maximise productivity and secure long-term benefits for their households.
Lekimain said the success of the programme will depend not only on the quality of livestock distributed, but also on the commitment of farmers to invest in good breeding, feeding, and health practices.
The county government says it will continue scaling up climate-smart livestock interventions as part of wider efforts to cushion vulnerable communities from climate stress while strengthening livelihoods in pastoral areas.
The Galla goat distribution marks another step in Samburu’s efforts to promote locally led climate adaptation solutions that improve resilience, support food security, and create more sustainable livestock production systems for communities on the frontline of climate change.