Animal diseases / AVCD / East Africa / ILRI / Kenya / Livelihoods / Livestock / Pastoralism / Value chains

Syndromic e-surveillance: averting livestock disease outbreaks, improving livelihoods

In early 2019, pastoralists in Turkana County lost 675 camels (Camelus dromedarius) with more than 750,000 at risk due to a severe outbreak of the contagious haemorrhagic septicaemia disease. It was not only a costly economic loss, estimated at 33.7 million Kenya shillings (USD337,000) but also a painful loss of livestock the pastoralists have so … Continue reading

Diversification of diets: a community-led solution that improves nutritional outcomes in Kenya’s pastoral communities
AVCD / Crops / Diet / ILRI / Kenya / Livelihoods / Pastoralism / Value chains

Diversification of diets: a community-led solution that improves nutritional outcomes in Kenya’s pastoral communities

In northern Kenya, thousands of people suffer from acute malnutrition. This dryland region experiences low rainfall, high temperatures and has poor soils, which lead to poor harvests and inadequate pastures for livestock. The region hence suffers significant food insecurity which results in high levels of malnutrition, particularly among women and children. Limited knowledge of appropriate … Continue reading

The private sector can deliver veterinary vaccines in Kenya
Animal diseases / AVCD / Cattle / East Africa / Goats / ILRI / Kenya / Livestock / Pastoralism / Small ruminants / Species / Value chains

The private sector can deliver veterinary vaccines in Kenya

On 1 February 2020 the director of veterinary services (DVS), Obadiah Njagi, issued a circular clarifying the roles and responsibilities of the private sector in the delivery of veterinary medicines and vaccines across Kenya in accordance with the existing laws and regulations. Continue reading

When Participatory Approaches Mess up Your Plans
AVCD / ILRI / Kenya / Livestock / Pastoralism / SLS / Value chains

When Participatory Approaches Mess up Your Plans

I never imagined that this man who had brought his herd into this other community’s pastures and flouted the community’s grazing rules, and whose actions had disrupted our training workshop would become a champion of our approach. The Interrupted Workshop I had come to Turkana County in northwestern Kenya to be part of a team … Continue reading

Can the private sector deliver livestock vaccines in Kenya? Yes, they can
Animal diseases / AVCD / Goats / ILRI / Kenya / Livelihoods / Livestock / Pastoralism / Small ruminants / Value chains

Can the private sector deliver livestock vaccines in Kenya? Yes, they can

At a meeting held on 18 July 2019 in Isiolo, Kenya, livestock sector stakeholders committed to implement eight resolutions that offer solutions that will guide future practice and encourage private sector investment in animal health service delivery: Continue reading

Livestock traders gain at USAID- and ILRI-supported forum
AVCD / East Africa / ILRI / Kenya / Livelihoods / Livestock / Pastoralism / Value chains

Livestock traders gain at USAID- and ILRI-supported forum

Enthusiastic traders from several counties in northern Kenya and from across the border in Ethiopia joined a livestock trade facilitation forum in Marsabit, Kenya on 9 May 2018. By close of business, participating livestock buyers and sellers signed contracts for a total of 5,373 livestock at a value of USD 406,774. The United States Agency … Continue reading

Animal diseases / Animal Production / AVCD / Goats / ILRI / Kenya / Livelihoods / Livestock / Pastoralism / Small ruminants / Value chains

3 Tier Network managing livestock disease collectively, for better lives though livestock

Through the 3-tier model, a network of trained community diseases reporters accessible at the village level has been created. Trained to be the first responders to animal health issues, they serve as an immediate resource for herders and are in position to respond to reports in multiple villages. Continue reading