ByIssa Hussein- Reporter
Kenya, 3 July 2026– The Samburu County Government on Friday distributed 92 camels to vulnerable households in Nachola Ward as part of its ongoing camel restocking programme aimed at enhancing food security, rebuilding livelihoods and strengthening resilience to recurrent drought.Governor Lati Lelelit presided over the distribution exercise at Lomirok Village in Nachola Ward, where he said the county remains committed to investing in climate-smart livestock production to cushion pastoralist communities from the effects of prolonged dry spells.The beneficiaries were drawn from communities that have suffered significant livestock losses due to successive droughts that have devastated pastoral livelihoods across northern Kenya in recent years.The camel restocking programme was first rolled out by the Samburu County Government in the aftermath of the severe 2020–2023 Horn of Africa drought,which wiped out thousands of cattle, sheep and goats across the county. Since then, the county has increasingly promoted camel production as part of its climate adaptation strategy, recognizing the animals’ ability to survive in arid conditions where other livestock struggle.Camels are widely regarded as drought-resilient livestock because they require less water, can feed on a broader range of vegetation and continue producing milk even during prolonged dry periods. Their milk provides a reliable source of nutrition and income for pastoral households, while the animals command higher market prices than many other livestock species.County officials say increasing camel populations will diversify pastoral livelihoods, reduce vulnerability to climate shocks and improve household incomes as climate change continues to intensify drought cycles in the region.Speaking during the exercise, Governor Lelelit reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting pastoral communities through sustainable livestock programmes and investments that strengthen economic resilience.Besides the livestock distribution, the governor inspected the progress of the Lomirok Village Security Fence Project,which is being funded by the county government to enhance security and protect residents and their livestock.He also held a public engagement forum with residents to discuss local economic development priorities and ongoing county projects.The event was attended by former Samburu Governor Moses Lenolkulal, Nachola Ward MCA Lawrence Lorunyei,County Executive Committee Members, Chief Officers and other senior county government officials.Samburu is among Kenya’s arid and semi-arid counties that have been hardest hit by climate change, with prolonged droughts increasingly threatening pastoral livelihoods. Both the national and county governments have been encouraging pastoralists to diversify into hardier livestock species such as camels as part of broader efforts to build resilience against future climate-related shocks.
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