Nariemeto, February 6, 2026 (Public Communication and Media Relations)
Pastoralist communities in Turkana County are taking a major step toward improving the productivity and drought resilience of local goat breeds following the launch of a one-year, EU-funded Community-Based Breeding Program (CBBP).
The program targets 155 households and more than 4,650 indigenous goats in Turkana West and Lokichogio sub-counties. It applies a community-driven breeding approach aimed at improving animal performance while safeguarding locally adapted breeds.
The pilot initiative is being implemented by Welthungerhilfe (WHH) in partnership with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Turkana County Department of Livestock Development under the PLACE Program.
It adopts a participatory breeding model that places communities at the center of decision-making, working alongside livestock experts to identify, select and manage superior breeding animals based on traits valued by pastoralists.
Selected breeding animals will be used in controlled mating and rotational breeding systems, while performance data on growth, survival and productivity will be recorded to guide future selection and improvement.
Speaking during the launch in Nariemeto, Deputy Governor Dr. John Erus urged pastoralists to form cooperatives early to ensure they fully benefit from the long-term economic potential of improved livestock production.
He noted that the county government is also working to revive the Lomidat Abattoir, adding that improved livestock quality would complement planned investments in livestock marketing infrastructure.
WHH Head of Program Philip Ewoton said the program was jointly developed with the community after consultations identified inbreeding and limited access to quality breeding stock as key factors reducing livestock productivity.
“We have been learning with and from the community. They consistently expressed the need for improved breeds and recognized inbreeding as a major challenge. Together, after analysing available options, we designed this initiative to respond to that need,” he said.
Pastoralists who attended the launch welcomed the program, noting that earlier sensitization and training sessions had helped them understand how controlled breeding and proper record keeping could improve herd quality and increase long-term incomes.
Chief Officer for Livestock Development Peter Eregae Ikaru reaffirmed the county government’s commitment to supporting the initiative as part of broader efforts to strengthen pastoral livelihoods. He observed that many households continue to earn low returns from livestock due to poor genetic quality, disease challenges and recurrent drought.
“This initiative will help develop more drought-resilient breeds capable of delivering better returns to farmers over time, and as a department we fully support its implementation,” he said.
Chief Officer for Partnerships and Donor Coordination Janerose Tioko commended WHH for advancing a partnership model that integrates government leadership, development partners and communities.
She noted that the organization is also supporting complementary programs in child nutrition, hay production and storage, and the expansion of community water services.
Deputy Director for Livestock Josephine Emase described the program as the first community-based breeding initiative of its kind in Turkana. She expressed optimism that the pilot would serve as a learning platform for future scale-up and attract livestock research institutions to the county.
She added that Nariemito was selected as a model implementation area due to strong community participation in co-created livestock improvement initiatives, noting that the program is expected to significantly improve the quality and performance of local goat breeds across the wider Turkana West pastoral belt.
The launch was attended by Director for Resource Mobilization and Partnerships Mike Aupe, Deputy Director for Veterinary Services Erenious Nakadio, Assistant Director for Livestock Production Ernest Anzeze, Turkana West Sub-County Livestock Production Officer James Atana, the Songot Ward Administrator, among other officials.
