Taita Taveta residents are suffering from loss of livestock due to depletion of water and pasture as a result of the ongoing drought.
Resident Stephen Ngure who lives within Mramba Ranch near Maktau has lost several of his cattle.
Around his camp, several cow skeletons litter the scene with mounds of flies and scavengers having a field day from the plentiful supply of free meat.
“My livestock has tasted death several times. It has become a windfall harvest for flies and vultures from my loss,” Ngure said.
Not far from Ngure’s camp, is Josphat Wamwandu, another livestock keeper in Mramba ranch.
Death has also not spared his animals.
“I’m reeling from heavy livestock losses from this drought. I have lost tens of heads of cattle and I continue to count losses,” Wamwandu said.
With the worst wave of drought hitting the country, livestock farmers in arid and semi-arid areas have been left counting losses.
Animals are dying due to water and forage shortages.
“We’re experiencing one of the worst drought waves to ever hit the county and country in recent years. The results have been stressed levels of water and animal feed,” the county coordinator for drought management Gabriel Mbogho said.
He however said the national and county governments are aware of the status on the ground and are doing everything to avert a worst-case scenario.
The official said several mitigations are already underway including the rehabilitation of water pans in several dry areas of the county.
Also, the construction of a water pipeline to Sagalla and the distribution of livestock pellets to supplement livestock feed.
The prayers of many farmers like Ngure and Wamwandu are for the short rains to come soon.
“In the meantime, we hope that the county and national governments will step up their efforts to secure water and feed for our livestock,” Ngure said.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)
