The Status of Livestock Livelihood Support System in the South Eastern Dry lands of Kitui and Makueni Counties, Kenya

Abstract

The study targeted three areas namely: Mulala and Wote Divisions in Makueni County and Kitui Central Division in Kitui County, all in South Eastern Dry land, Kenya and aimed at establishing the current status in animal production. Random sampling was used to get the final respondents. Livestock types kept were: poultry, goats, cattle, sheep, rabbits, donkeys and bees. Goats were the most common ruminants kept (51%) followed by cattle (39.8%). Indigenous chicken (98.5%) was the most common type of poultry. Bee keeping was concentrated in Kitui Central compared to Mulala and Wote divisions. Most of the challenges faced in livestock production were related to availability of feed and diseases. From the baseline survey, livestock farming forms part of the livelihood support system and there is need to empower farmers to venture more into intensive livestock production e.g. rearing short-cycle livestock and improved breeds e.g. dairy goats to alleviate poverty.