Scaling livestock insurance with service bundles for better risk management in pastoral areas: lessons from a rapid assessment in Isiolo county, Northern Kenya

Pastoral systems in the drylands of East Africa face multiple risks, particularly drought, which accounts for over half of livestock losses in northern Kenya. While Index-Based Livestock Insurance (IBLI) was introduced in 2010 to protect against these covariate shocks, standalone uptake remains low. This research brief details a rapid assessment conducted in Isiolo County, Northern Kenya, in November 2025 to evaluate the "bundling" of IBLI with productivity-enhancing services such as animal health, nutrition, and breeding.
The assessment found a high preference for flexible and animal health bundles, which allow pastoralists to address routine losses and respond to immediate needs as conditions evolve. Results highlight significant gender differences: women prioritized quality drugs and preventive stocking for small ruminants, while men viewed bundles as a financial buffer against distress sales. To achieve scale, the study recommends a "fit-for-context" approach that strengthens last-mile delivery chains, aligns voucher timing with seasonal needs, and utilizes blended communication strategies to improve community understanding and trust