By Abdikadir Chari
Marsabit County has launched a pilot Range Crisis Modifier initiative, alongside e-voucher livestock vaccination, rangeland restoration and drainage clearance programmes, to strengthen disaster preparedness and improve responses to climate-related hazards such as droughts, floods and disease outbreaks.
The initiative marks a shift from reactive disaster response to anticipatory action, preparedness and early intervention aimed at reducing the impact of disasters on vulnerable communities.
The pilot is being implemented under the Early Action Capacities for Disasters project, supported by the Netherlands-funded initiative through Mercy Corps, the Frontier Counties Development Council and the University of Twente.
The project seeks to strengthen inclusive and resilient disaster risk management systems while integrating scientific data with indigenous knowledge to improve early warning and response mechanisms.
Speaking during the launch of the Range Crisis Modifier at Sagante in Saku Constituency, Marsabit County Commissioner Stanley Kamande said the initiative underscored the urgent need to shift from reactive disaster response to proactive anticipatory action while ensuring that no community is left behind when disasters strike.
“Every citizen, regardless of where they live, deserves access to life-saving information before disaster strikes,” he said.
Kamande called for collaboration between government agencies and development partners to strengthen early warning systems, reduce loss of life and livelihoods, bolster food security and build a more resilient county.
He also highlighted the launch of the e-voucher livestock vaccination programme, saying it would expand vaccination coverage, strengthen accountability and improve disease prevention across the county’s pastoral systems.
“This is a historic step for our county. We are empowering our farmers with affordable, technology-driven solutions that will protect their livestock and improve productivity,” he said.
He urged livestock keepers to present their animals for vaccination, noting that failure by some farmers to participate in vaccination campaigns had left their herds vulnerable to diseases, creating a major challenge for the livestock sector.
Marsabit County Chief of Staff Abdo Alla, who presided over the launch, urged livestock keepers across the county to participate fully in the programme.
“This is a farmer-friendly initiative. The government and its partners are cushioning livestock keepers against the high cost of vaccines so that no household is left behind,” he said.
“We want every farmer to bring out their animals, get them vaccinated and protect their livelihoods. Together, we can stop PPR and significantly reduce cases of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in our county,” he added.
Alla said livestock keepers who had not previously registered would be enrolled on-site by vaccination teams.
He also expressed optimism that the rangeland project developed at Jaldesa would provide a more comprehensive response to the need for effective grazing plans for neighbouring communities while supporting rangeland regeneration.
“A participatory approach to developing grazing plans based on community needs and interests will strengthen unity and enhance pasture and livestock productivity,” he said.
Alla reaffirmed the government’s and development partners’ commitment to the initiative, urging ward development committees to build on existing partnerships to strengthen rangeland management.
He also called for community education meetings to raise awareness of efforts to restore land productivity through holistic grazing practices.
Mercy Corps County Director William Baron reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting the successful implementation of the Range Crisis Modifier and emphasised the importance of developing an Early Warning Roadmap.
He said strengthening inclusive early warning systems in the county required a coordinated platform to align efforts, improve disaster governance and enhance the county’s capacity for real-time monitoring and forecasting of natural hazards.
“The initiative will serve as a strategic guide for interventions at both national and local levels, channel investments towards strengthening early warning systems, improve disaster risk reduction and facilitate the seamless integration of comprehensive early warning mechanisms,” Baron said.
County Director of Veterinary Services Dr James Dokhe described the initiative as a transformative milestone for pastoralists in Marsabit.
“For years, low vaccination coverage has left our herds vulnerable to outbreaks. With this digital voucher system, we are eliminating cost barriers, improving access and ensuring every vaccine administered is traceable,” he said.
Dokhe said the county had completed community sensitisation, registration of livestock keepers and training of vaccinators to ensure a smooth rollout.
“The e-voucher vaccination approach is an important innovation in the delivery of veterinary services. It enables eligible livestock keepers to access vaccination services through accredited private veterinary service providers,” he said.
He encouraged livestock keepers to register their animals, make them available when vaccination teams arrive and follow the advice of veterinary professionals.
“Vaccination is more effective when there is high coverage, correct timing, proper vaccine handling and good cooperation from the community,” he said.
Dokhe added that Marsabit was among the best-performing counties in the implementation of livestock disease prevention and vaccination activities under the e-voucher programme.
He called for stronger public-private partnerships to support livestock disease control, saying the approach would help establish a sustainable veterinary services market beyond donor-funded and campaign-based interventions.
“Together, we can reduce livestock diseases, protect livestock assets, strengthen food and nutrition security, improve household incomes and safeguard the pastoral economy of Marsabit County,” he said.
Livestock keepers welcomed the initiative, saying it would reduce disease-related losses and improve livestock productivity, which remains a critical source of livelihood for households across the county.
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