Ripple Effect: We Want Change Of Attitude In Future Generation On Donkeys

By Isabella Maua

Ripple Effect, in collaboration with Brooke East Africa, held a donkey clinic in Mt. Elgon last week with the aim of sensitizing farmers on donkey welfare.

The exercise was held in Chwele Ndogo and Kipsigon markets, which are the largest open-air markets across Mt. Elgon sub-county.

“We chose these prominent markets around because they are in the most remote regions of Mt. Elgon, and despite being the central part of selling food products across Trans Nzoia and Bungoma counties, there are no proper roads, leaving farmers with the option of using donkeys,” explained Kennedy Wanyonyi, Ripple Effect program facilitator.

Dr. Wechabe Simiyu, Sub County Veterinary Officer Tongaren, observed on his part that their choice of location and season was deliberate because schools are closed and many farmers are within reach.

“We have come to Chwele Ndogo and Kipsigon because these are the food baskets we have, but the farmers around solely rely on donkeys to transport their farm produce to the markets without knowledge of how to take care of their health and welfare,” bemoaned Dr. Simiyu.

The exercise, which has been held several times across the Mt. Elgon region, has also bore fruit in the recent past since, looking around, one would notice that donkeys are healthier and happier than they were in the years before Ripple Effect set foot in the region.

Paul Ngeywo is the owner of seven donkeys residing in Kipsigon, and he attests that the Ripple Effect’s impact on their lives goes beyond the donkey welfare.

He divulged, “Since my first interaction with the Ripple Effect in 2021, I have learned how to take care of my donkeys; I no longer overwork them like I did before; I could overload them with firewood, cabbages, onions, and potatoes, which immensely led to the development of sores on their backs.”

Ngeywo further expressed his gratitude to Ripple Effect for holding the exercise during the holiday since many children have gotten to witness how donkeys are handled, treated, and dewormed, thus appreciating their existence and contribution to livelihood.

George Okoko of Ripple Effect further commended the county government of Bungoma for being part of the project, which has incorporated many stakeholders from all levels of government to achieve the goal of changing the attitudes of present and future generations regarding the precious beast of burden.

Jim Omondi, an Animal Health Practitioner from Homabay, couldn’t hide his excitement as he explained their experience with the donkeys of Mt. Elgon, who seem docile as compared to the ones in Homabay.

“We are so glad to have come here for an exchange visit; the interaction with farmers here and donkeys has really been impactful. We have, however, noted that most donkeys have overgrown hooves, which is mostly caused by the terrain of this region,” observed Omondi.

Dominated by rugged terrain and extremely poor infrastructure, the Mt. Elgon region has most farmers and buyers using donkeys in their day-to-day activities, hence making them valuable animals in their livelihoods that need love and care.