Livestock farmers from Samburu County and beyond are set to get a major boost following a partnership deal between KCB Foundation and the County Government of Samburu.

The partnership will see both parties work together to support a profitable and sustainable livestock economy, through equipping the youth in Samburu with the requisite skillset and offering interest free loans to cooperative societies within the livestock value chain.

Speaking during the partnership agreement signing event held at the County Governor’s office in Maralal, KCB Group Board chairman Ngeny Biwott said the Foundation has put in place to support Livestock farmers in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands.

“KCB Foundation is committed to commercializing the livestock farming  sector through a pro-poor model that ensures livestock keepers retain a higher proportion of the final sale price of the animals” he said.   “The partnership deal with Samburu County aims at providing support to livestock farmers by capacity building on input access, productivity improvement, access to credit and market access activities for the livestock value chain players through the Foundation’s Mifugo ni Mali initiative.”

Established in 2014, the Mifugo Ni Mali initiative is a livestock program from KCB foundation designed to boost the livestock sector and eradicate extreme poverty in counties within the Arid and Semi-Arid regions.

Samburu County Governor H.E Moses Lenolkulal lauded the efforts by the Foundation to support the county, pointing out the initiative would serve to enhance the lives of livestock farmers in the in the area.

“We appreciate the partnership with KCB Foundation that will go a long way in improving the lives of our livestock farmers and the county as a whole. My Government will continue to work closely with the various cooperative societies to enhance processes and systems and develop business plans and ensure high returns for them.”

KCB Foundation Director Jane Mwangi  said: “We recognize the livestock sub sector’s contributes 12% to the national GDP and accounts for 30% of the country’s agricultural output. By supporting livestock farmers and increasing their capacity and output, we are helping to not only build the Samburu community but also impact the country as a whole,” said Mrs Mwangi.

Mr. Biwott noted that the two year partnership that targets livestock keepers in the meat, dairy, milk and fish value chains will see KCB Foundation invest a total of KShs. 30 million and the county government will invest KShs. 45 million, money that will be made accessible to the farmers through interest free loans by KCB.