Naema Celestine 
| Benmike Wekesa |
Jackson Achola, the Kajiado County Executive Member for Agriculture, has identified the widespread Ipomea weed in Kajiado County as a significant threat to livestock production.
Speaking on Thursday in Loitoktok at the launch of the Loitoktok Dairy mini plant, Achola emphasized the rapid spread of the weed and the need for collaborative efforts from all stakeholders to manage it.
Achola urged the local community to collaborate with the county government to expedite the weed’s eradication, noting its severe impact on livestock farmers in Kajiado Central. He highlighted that once the weed invades areas with vegetation suitable for livestock, it destroys it, posing a severe threat to livestock production. This situation led Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku to declare the weed a disaster during the recent Madaraka Day celebrations.
To improve livestock production in the county, Achola mentioned that the County Government has launched a program called Moderation Pastoralism. This program aims to enhance quality production and accelerate the value chain in milk, meat, hides, and skins. The initiative was started in response to climate change, which has negatively impacted traditional pastoralism, causing significant livestock deaths in the region.
Achola highlighted that through the Agricultural Sector Development Support Program (ASDSP), farmers have received training in value addition and the commercialization of livestock farming. He added that the ASDSP will be replaced by the Kenya Agricultural Business Development Project, which will primarily focus on agricultural businesses.
Achola commended the Loitoktok Dairy Cooperative Society for its active participation, which led to the creation of a mini plant for processing livestock products. Grace Njuguna, the chairperson of the society, expressed their intention to expand their reach by recruiting more members, currently numbering 700, most of whom are women. She also called on the Department of Public Health and the Kenya Dairy Board to educate the public on the benefits of consuming pasteurized milk to increase its consumption.
