The KCB Foundation, in partnership with the Garissa County Government, Smart Regional Consultants (SRC), and the Kenya Veterinary Association (KVA), has launched the transformative Mifugo Ni Mali (Livestock is Wealth) program, aimed at empowering 3,000 livestock farmers across five Kenyan counties. The initiative, which kicked off with a visit to Garissa County Headquarters this morning, is set to begin in September 2025 and will target 600 farmers per county in Garissa, Isiolo, Samburu, Lamu, and Tana River.
The KCB Foundation team, led by Program Manager Clarisse Aduma, was warmly received by Garissa County officials, including CECM for Trade Mohamed Suleiman, Chief Officer for Donor Coordination Jamal Mohamed, Chief Officer for Trade & Investment Harun Mohamed, Chief Officer for Livestock Ahmed Shidiye, and Chief Officer for Industrialization & Enterprise Jael Adhiambo.
Discussions centered on the rollout of the Mifugo Ni Mali program, a pilot project designed to revolutionize the livestock sector in Kenya’s Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) region.
The program focuses on four key pillars: training farmers and cooperatives in governance, financial literacy, and climate-smart practices; improving livestock health through better breeds, nutrition, vaccination, and disease control; linking producers to structured export offtake contracts; and expanding access to finance through KCB loans and trade finance services.
By equipping farmers with these tools and opportunities, the initiative aims to make the livestock sector more competitive, sustainable, and economically rewarding.
“Livestock is the backbone of our economy. This partnership with KCB Foundation will unlock new opportunities for our farmers and put Garissa on the path to accessing lucrative export markets,” said Mohamed Suleiman, CECM for Trade.
His remarks underscored the critical role of livestock in Garissa’s economy and the potential for the county to emerge as a livestock export hub.
Clarisse Aduma, Program Manager at KCB Foundation, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the transformative potential of the program.
“Through Mifugo Ni Mali, we want to transform the livestock sector by making it more competitive, sustainable, and rewarding for communities in Northern Kenya. Garissa has immense potential to become a livestock export hub,” she stated.
The collaboration is already generating optimism among local stakeholders.
By strengthening cooperatives, empowering farmers, and building resilient local economies, the Mifugo Ni Mali program is poised to cement Garissa’s position as a livestock powerhouse in the ASAL region.
The initiative aligns with broader efforts to modernize agriculture and enhance economic opportunities in underserved areas.
The meeting was attended by key representatives, including Boniface Mukosi from KCB Foundation Programs, Ambrose Kipyegon from KVA, Bonano Badia, Venny Mayaka, and Risper Wanja from SRC, as well as Mohamed Huka and Ahmed Sahal from KCB Bank’s Garissa branch.
Their collective efforts signal a strong commitment to driving sustainable development through innovative partnerships.
As the Mifugo Ni Mali program prepares to launch, Garissa County stands at the forefront of a new era in livestock farming, with the promise of enhanced livelihoods and expanded market access for its farmers.