Thousands of livestock die in Kilifi as drought worsens

Drought is worsening in Kilifi, with more than 145,000 residents already affected.

The county recorded poor rainfall for the last two years. Across the country, more than 2.14 million people are grappling with water scarcity. 

For pastoralists, pasture is hard to come by. Animals are dying in their thousands and there are fears human deaths could soon be reported if nothing is done to arrest the situation.

Victims are in dire need of relief food. The Coast region alone has 376,000 people in need of aid. Of the number, 145,000 are in Kilifi.

Magarini is the most affected subcounty in Kilifi, followed by Ganze, Kaloleni and some parts of Malindi.

A report from the Ministry of Devolution and Asals said a multi-stakeholder team led by  National Drought Management Authority assessed the drought and food situation in relation to their interventions to establish the gaps that need immediate and medium-term measures.

The report by NDMA said the number of people could rise from 2.14 million to 2,366,500 if the October-December short rains are below normal.

"Out of this, about 354,600 people are in an emergency (Phase 4), while another 1,793,200 are in a crisis (phase 3), thereby falling within the ambit of people facing high acute food insecurity and requiring urgent action. The assessment also revealed that 5,214,200 are stressed (Phase 2)," the report says.

The most-affected counties are Turkana (370,000), Wajir (195,000), Mandera (173,000), Garissa (168,000), Marsabit (160,000) and Kilifi (145,000). Other hard-hit counties are Baringo, Kitui, Isiolo, Tana River, Kwale, Kajiado, Narok, Lamu, Samburu, Makueni, West Pokot, Laikipia and Taita Taveta. 

Other areas include Meru North of Meru, Kieni in Nyeri and Mbeere in Embu.

When Kenya Red Cross officials—accompanied by journalists—visited Magarini, Kilifi, on Wednesday, they came face to face with the reality, especially past the Sabaki Bridge along the Sabaki-Marafa Baricho road. Crops have failed. 

Their first stopover was Sosoni after their attention was drawn by emaciated cattle that were grazing on a farm with no grass.

Water pans in the area have dried up. Residents have to travel long distances to buy it for Sh10 a jerrycan.

In the Gandini area, farm animals are worn out. Area assistant chief James Lewa said more than 600 head of cattle have died.

In one homestead, two cattle were dead, and yet another one was in critical condition. The cows were weak and a woman was trying to water their calves.

Lewa said the drought started last year and this year the situation worsened, resulting in many animal deaths.

"One family lost 53 head of cattle, the largest for a household," the administrator said.

In the Sosoni area, Margaret Kinana Katsetese, a mother of three, was herding her cattle. The land had no vegetation, no grass.

Katsetse said the drought regretted that they have no way out of the disaster. The drought has persisted for a long time, she said. It rained in mid-May after she had spent Sh7,500 on tilling her three acres and planting.

She said the maize did not germinate as the rain was short. To date, there is nothing on the farm.

“Animals have no grass because of the drought; they finished the little grass that was available and now they are very weak and some are dying,” she said.

Katsetse expressed fear that the situation could escalate in the next few months. She said the county government has not supported them with anything.

“Animals have started dying. Those that were here had to be transferred to another area called Majengo. We agreed with village elders in the area to be allowed to graze,” she said.

Debora Mali, a mother of five from Sosoni, said the biggest challenge is getting animal feed as everywhere is dry. She said she has been struggling to feed her cows and family.

“Children want school fees. You cannot sell the animal because it's weak. My family and the animals have no food.”

Mali said she already lost one animal. Her neighbour’s cow is also in critical condition and feeds on dry grass as it has no strength to walk the long distance others go to get pasture.

She buys grass from River Galana banks and it's expensive because it's very far. The situation is getting worse by the day.

“I planted four acres, the seeds germinated but due to lack of rain, the crops dried. Recently, I planted again but they dried up again,” she said.

Mali said the county government has not offered any support. She called on the authorities to provide animal feed and relief food.

Peter Yeri Kombe, the assistant chief of Wakala sublocation in Bungale, said the drought situation is devastating.

He said they have lost more than 1,300 domestic animals since the drought hit the area and those still alive are in bad shape.

“We have organised with other chiefs in the Dagamra area to allow our residents to go and graze there to prevent animals from dying,” he said.

He said all the 1,000 households in his sublocation have been affected and have no food. They can only hope for even short rains.

Many children are skipping classes because of hunger. Most schools have no feeding programme.

Agnes Mkutano Kadzomba said their major challenge is how to access water. She said they can stay up to one week without water after their pans dried up.

“We did not harvest in the last three seasons given the lack of rainfall. Now to get water, there is a tap, but the water is available for only two days a week,” he said.

Kadzomba said they initiated a pipeline project to ensure they get tapped water but they are hungry and cannot do the work.

Mtumishi Shungu, a local pastor in Bungale, said they have never witnessed such famine in the past 50 years.

Shungu said farmers are disappointed as they invested heavily in their land, hiring tractors, buying seedlings and planting, only to reap nothing.

“We appeal for help from well-wishers and good Samaritans with seeds so that in case it rains people can plant. We also need food because there is nothing completely at home,” he said.

He also cited the rise in human-wildlife conflicts cases. Recently, a lion strayed, leaving them at risk of attack. He said the lion killed four goats and there was a case last week over the same.

Snakes and other dangerous animals also move into their houses in search of water and food.