A Maasai Heardsman guide his Cattle
Nairobi, Kenya – May 13, 2025 – The Kenya Development Corporation (KDC), through the State Department for Livestock and with the support of the World Bank, has injected Sh519 million into Kenya’s Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs), anchored on unlocking capital for enterprises and value chain actors in the region.
The DRIVE Program seeks to revolutionize the economy of more than 20 counties, including Marsabit, Isiolo, Laikipia, Samburu, Narok, Kajiado, and Kwale.
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The funding supports a wide range of livestock-related sectors, including fodder production, feedlots, meat processing, leather, aggregation, and livestock trade. The goal is to promote climate-smart, community-driven development that enhances productivity and resilience across ASAL counties.
Norah Ratemo, Director General of Kenya Development Corporation (KDC), said: “The DRIVE Program is a flagship model of inclusive investment responsive to local realities. With over KSh 519 million disbursed so far to enterprises and value chain actors across more than 20 counties including Marsabit, Isiolo, Laikipia, Samburu, Narok, Kajiado, and Kwale; we are unlocking long-term value in historically marginalized regions.”
Abubakar Hassan, Principal Secretary for Investment Promotion, stated: “Drive is anchoring our shift from aid to enterprise. It is a practical blueprint for de-risking frontier economies and crowding in private capital through blended finance, concessional lending, and strategic partnerships. Our Government is committed to repositioning the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) as investable zones rich in opportunity. Through initiatives like DRIVE, we are unlocking high-impact investments in livestock production, agribusiness, water infrastructure, and climate-smart agriculture, while aligning national policies with county priorities. This is how we actualize the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda by turning potential into prosperity.”
The World Bank emphasized the importance of local feedback in shaping the future of the program, noting: “Today, we are witnessing this firsthand feedback, as DRIVE beneficiaries share their transformative experiences, illustrating how the program has empowered them to overcome challenges, improve productivity, and contribute to the economic resilience of their communities. This real-time insight will be instrumental in driving continuous improvement and maximizing the program’s impact.”
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Maurice Ouma, DRIVE Project Coordinator, highlighted the strategic role of the State Department for Livestock:
“By providing technical support, policy guidance, and sector-specific data, the Department ensures that investors are equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to successfully engage in livestock and related value chains. This strategic support is vital in unlocking the economic potential of ASAL regions and promoting sustainable, investment-ready ecosystems.”
Stakeholders at the meeting urged continued collaboration between government agencies, development partners, and the private sector to build on the program’s momentum and scale up high-impact investments across pastoral regions.
