Pastoralist communities in West Pokot County have been challenged to insure their livestock as a way of safeguarding them against unforeseen losses.

County Commissioner David Saruni said the government was supporting the livestock insurance initiative through meeting 70 percent of the entire insurance cost, as farmers meet the 30 percent to cushion livestock farmers against eventualities.

He said during adverse effects such as drought many livestock farmers lose their livestock due to lack of pasture hence decreased production.

“Using set light technology the government can monitor the drought situation and give the farmers money to buy animal feed to sustain their livestock,” said the CC.

West Pokot is among 21 counties in Kenya covered by the De-risking, Inclusion and Value Enhancement of Pastoral Economies (DRIVE) Programme, which seeks to strengthen the resilience of pastoralist communities against climate-related shocks and other risks.

Similarly, Saruni called on residents to enroll with SHA to benefit from the universal health coverage that has saved many Kenyans fortunes, when they seek medical attention.

“People end up disposing off their livestock to cater for medical expenses leaving some with nothing. One goat can enable one to pay for SHA to benefit from medical cover running into millions when one falls sick,” the CC explained.

He further advised the Kacheliba residents to guard their land resources against encroachment, especially those areas proposed for public development projects.

“This county is blessed with land resources and the government was planning for the establishment of an airstrip here in Kacheliba. You can agree and provide a runner Way and you shall have great benefits,” Saruni told the Kacheliba residents.

He reminisced several years ago when serving within the area saying the place was a jungle and had no single tarmac road.

“The government has invested heavily in the road infrastructure and now we have the affordable housing project. The road to Singapore is becoming real here in West Pokot,” added the CC.

Kacheliba MP Titus Lotee lauded the government for launching grand projects in the area, especially improving the road network.

He appealed to the residents to consider owning units within the Affordable Houses programme in the area.

“These houses that are being built belong to all of us and anyone is free to buy them. Every resident of Kacheliba, any tribe and Kenyan from wherever have the right to purchase a house here,” said the MP.

He said the government’s infrastructural development running into billions was an indication that West Pokot was being fished out from the marginalization pocket so as to be at par with other regions.

The site for the Kacheliba Affordable Housing Programme was handed over to the contractor at a cost of Sh687million and construction works are expected to start immediately.

By Richard Muhambe