The Kajiado County Government has launched a pilot livestock breeding programme aimed at improving the quality and productivity of cattle in the county.
The initiative is being implemented under Governor Joseph ole Lenku’s Legacy Vision and the Modulated Pastoralism agenda. It is being led by the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Veterinary Services, Irrigation and Fisheries in partnership with the Kenya Animal Genetic Resources Centre (KAGRIC) and the Kenya Red Cross.
County veterinary and technical teams have begun selecting animals to be enrolled in the programme. The selected animals will be earmarked for synchronization and artificial insemination using semen from selected pedigree bulls.
Livestock keepers participating in the programme will benefit from improved breeds including Sahiwal, Boran, Jersey, Ayrshire and Magic 50. Farmers are being allowed to choose their preferred breed, guided by technical officers and depending on semen availability.
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Officials said the programme seeks to enhance milk and meat production while supporting climate-smart livestock farming. Improved breeding is also expected to increase household incomes and strengthen food security in pastoral and agro-pastoral areas.
The rollout was preceded by extensive community engagement. Livestock keepers were sensitized on the goals of the project and informed about the criteria for enrolment into the pilot phase, a step aimed at ensuring community buy-in and smooth implementation.
The pilot will be implemented in Kajiado Central, Kajiado East and Kajiado West sub-counties. These areas were selected based on suitability criteria, including livestock population and access to veterinary and extension services.
County officials noted that lessons learned from the pilot phase will inform a wider roll-out across the county.
By Benedict Aoya
