The residents of North Gem ward received over 40 dairy cattle from the Siaya County government on Friday as part of the efforts to improve their livelihood.
The 43 dairy cows were released to the residents through self-help groups during an event held at the Malanga sublocation assistant chief’s office in the Gem Yala subcounty.
Speaking during the event, North Gem Ward Member of the County Assembly, Philip Obonyo Oluoch, said the cattle were purchased from the ward’s development budget as part of a strategy to help improve the living standards of the residents.
“Out of the Sh24 million set aside for North Gem ward development, we spent Sh7 million for this project,” said the MCA, adding that he plans to distribute 1,000 dairy cows to the local residents by the end of this year.
Through the project, said Oluoch, each member of a group that benefitted will be getting a litre of milk daily.
“This translates to about Sh3,000 monthly for the members, which is slightly higher than the monthly stipend that the national government gives to the elderly citizens,” he said.
Siaya County Assistant Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Mark Otieno, said one of the 43 cows calved out at the assistant chief’s camp.
Dr. Otieno said veterinary officers were on the ground to vaccinate the animals against foot-and-mouth disease.
“Foot and mouth disease is an endemic disease in this locality and we have to make sure that these exotic animals are protected against it,” said Dr. Otieno.
He said his department will schedule a round of visits to ensure that the animals, which he described as strong and in good shape, settle well in the locality.
Local national government administration officials, led by Malanga Sublocation Assistant Chief Millicent Auma Otieno and her Maliera sublocation counterpart, Nicholas Mudawo, thanked the county government for the gesture, which, they added, will improve income for the locals.
The beneficiaries, among them Michael Otieno Odoli and Jane Orek, said they were ready to put into practice the training they received prior to the delivery of the dairy animals.
By Philip Onyango