Donkey farmers in Mwingi have been urged not to sell their animals for slaughter and instead use the beasts of burden for other profitable ventures.
During a forum sponsored by Brooke East Africa and Caritas Kitui in Mwingi town on Saturday, the farmers were told that donkeys remain key to development in the semi-arid region and that selling them for slaughter will hurt the local economy.
Donkeys are mainly used to carry loads from the farms to the market and fetch water from boreholes or streams.
Mwingi is largely very dry and most villagers trek for long kilometres to fetch water. The donkey comes in handy.
During the Saturday form dubbed 'donkey husbandry', farmers from Mwingi and its environs were taught various ways of handling the animals.
A free treatment clinic for donkeys was also offered. Brooke East Africa said the initiative was aimed at ensuring donkeys were also well-taken care of just like other domestic animals.
Farmers said he has relied on donkeys for his livelihood since he was a child.
“Even during my childhood, I used to fetch water and sell using a donkey and I would raise money to cater for my needs at school,” Mengi said.
The 43-year-old owns three donkeys. People often hire his donkeys to fetch water or ferry produce from farms to the market.
"And from that, I am able to put food on the table," he said.
There has been a rise in donkey theft in Mwingi since slaughtering of the animals began. Mengi thanked Caritas Kitui for coming to their rescue.
Syombua Malaki urged farmers not to sell their donkeys as they are of immense help for families and homesteads.
“A donkey is the second wife in a family given the work it does. It makes it a lot easier for women who often have to fetch water from far off boreholes," she said.
Veterinary officer Peter Gathayo who led the free clinic said more than 30 donkeys with serious medical conditions were treated. Another 100 were dewormed.
“The exercise was a success and donkeys that were brought to the clinic have been attended to at no cost,” Gathayo said.
He said donkeys needed proper care just like other domestic animals.
“A donkey should be fed well, built a house for, taken to clinic among other caregiving acts,” he said.
Caritus Kitui officer Donald Kituku said the campaign was aimed at discouraging farmers from selling their donkeys for slaughter.
He said donkeys remain very important for residents of arid areas and that slaughtering them would leave many families without economic activities.
