Pastoralists in Tana River county have been losing their livestock to hyenas for decades.
The wild animals sneak into the traditional sheds made from thorny tree branches at night maiming and killing cows, goats and sheep and leave the pastoralists counting loses.
However, a German non-governmental organisation, Welthungerhilfe, commonly known as German Agro Action, has come to their rescue and helped over 300 households put up modern animal sheds.
They have also trained residents on fodder and livestock production.
Other than the wildlife attacks, since Covid-19 pandemic struck last year many pastoralists have lost their livestock to diseases. They say they cannot afford pesticides for their animals due the economic constraints.
German Agro Action officials said their aim is to help pastoralists build proper structures using locally available materials to ensure the safety of livestock from wild animals.
Those who benefitted from the structures also had their livestock vaccinated.
One of the beneficiaries, Mohamed Ware, 37, a pastoralist from Bula Salama in Hola, said before Covid-19, he had over 40 goats and sheep in his homestead but lost over 15 to diseases.
Ware, who is living with a physical disability, said he had no money to buy pesticides which led to the deaths due to diseases. He said to make matters worse, he also lost more livestock to hyenas as his structure was the traditional one.
“Whenever I hear the dog barking, I try to get out because it's a sign that there is an intruder. However, I am unable to get out of the house on time to chase the hyena and end up losing my livestock. With the new structures, I will sleep without worrying,’’ he said.
Ware said the new structures are built using local materials and are raised such that the hyenas cannot climb, adding that it has a door which is normally locked.
He thanked the NGO for the support and called on other well-wishers to help him restock the livestock as he now has a proper structure to prevent further attacks from the wild animals.
Ware said he is glad to have received sensitisation on different livestock diseases which helped him be aware of the dangers. “We were also given masks, soap, and sanitisers to ensure we stay safe during this period of Covid-19," he said.
Another beneficiary Wario Omar, a father of eight from Matano village, said he first got livestock feeds and all his livestock were vaccinated.
He said their livestock are affected by many diseases but through the support of the German Agro action their animals are now healthy.
Omar said since the pandemic began, it has been difficult to buy the pesticides because of financial constraints. He said the pesticides are costly with some going for Sh1,000 for one animal.
“Now that our livestock have been vaccinated, they are safe and free from diseases we are happy for the support we received,’’ he said.
Omar said the NGO has also organised for them land within the National Irrigation Authority to plant grass for their livestock.
He said the NGO facilitated all the process of bush clearing, ploughing and equipment to plant the grass which is going to help them get grass for their animals and even surplus to be used in future.
“Our livestock will no longer have to go far to get grass as they are used, they will be feeding here at home,’’ he said.
He said through the NGO, they have been enlightened on how to utilise the available resources.
For example, he said Mathenge tree that is common in Tana River county they have learned that if mixed with maize cobs and ground together can produce good livestock feeds.
That if done, will reduce the costs of buying livestock feeds from the agrovets.
-Edited by SKanyara
