Kenya has more than 87 million cattle, sheep and goats, much of it concentrated in the country’s arid and semi-arid lands. Every severe drought puts part of that economic value at risk.
When the 2025 season left parts of Tana River County dry, KES 24,600 arrived in Amina Mohamed’s M-Pesa wallet. She used the money to buy fodder while her animals could still be protected.
In Makueni County, the women of Kimatwa Women SACCO are testing the other side of the model. They pooled their savings to buy land, stored fodder and put 13 young cattle into a feedlot. Their plan is to keep the animals in better condition, add weight and sell them for more.
Together, the two stories capture DRIVE’s approach in Kenya, protecting livestock when climate shocks hit and helping pastoralists earn more from the same animals.
This week, the Government of Kenya, World Bank, ZEP-RE, Kenya Development Corporation and other implementing partners met for a three-day implementation support mission as DRIVE enters its final year.
With the current financing period ending in September 2027, the final year is about strengthening what works and making sure it can continue after the project closes.
Through Index-Based Livestock Insurance, pastoralists can receive support when drought conditions deteriorate.
The value of that support depends on when it arrives. If it reaches a pastoralist while livestock can still be protected, the money can help pay for fodder, water and other urgent needs before animals lose condition or families feel forced to sell.
Savings add another layer, helping households manage smaller shocks and bringing more pastoralists into formal financial services.
Illness, hospitalisation or death can also force families to sell livestock to meet urgent expenses. Linda Mfugaji is testing health and life protection around the household.
Protecting the herd also means giving the family that depends on it more financial security.
A pastoralist may protect livestock through a difficult season and still struggle to find a reliable buyer, access finance or secure a fair return.
Through the Kenya Development Corporation, DRIVE is supporting investment, market connections and private capital around livestock businesses and producer groups.
ANITRAC is intended to strengthen livestock identification and traceability. County Livestock Investment Companies are designed to help pastoralists aggregate livestock, organise commercially and participate more strongly in markets.
The pieces connect around one economic asset which is the herd.
A healthier, traceable and insured animal, backed by better access to finance and markets, gives its owner more choice about when to sell and what value to accept.
Kenya’s pastoral economy will continue to face drought, floods and other climate shocks. Pastoralists will continue to decide whether to keep, sell or invest in livestock.
Four years of DRIVE are showing the value of linking insurance, savings, financial services, traceability and market access. The task now is to make those connections strong enough to last beyond the project.
