Farmers Advised To Seek Veterinary Services As Ripple Effect Hold Donkey Clinics Within Bungoma
By Isabella Maua
Donkey owners and users have been advised to be presenting their donkeys for veterinary services at routine schedules to curb worm infestation, hoof overgrowth, and occurrence of wounds on the animals.
Ripple Effect Kenya, through one of its projects: Innovations 4 Reduced and Redistributed Women unpaid Care Work, organized for mass donkey welfare clinics in Kimilili and Mt Elgon constituencies for sustainable source livelihoods; use of donkeys being one of the innovations that lighten women workload.
While speaking to donkey owners during Ripple Effect’s I4RR project on donkey farmers’ sensitisation at Chebukwabi last week, Dr. Wechabe Simiyu, the project facilitator, encouraged farmers to seek veterinary care for healthier and more productive donkeys.
“Many of the cases we have seen today indicate a lack of knowledge about veterinary care; there’s a widespread occurrence of overgrown hooves and wounds at the base of the tails and on the backs as a result of overload of the beasts of burden,” he observed.
I4RR is a project aimed at appreciating the work women do in their households and small-scale farming projects like kitchen gardens and feeding livestock without being paid by anyone for their laborious efforts.
Donkey users and owners who benefitted from the program could not hide their joy as they received free services from animal health providers and vets during the open field day.
Roselyn Wasike is the chairlady of the Donkey Drivers’ Women Group and admits Ripple Effect has been a life changer: “Since we started working with Ripple Effect, we formed a group where we are taught many farming practices besides donkey care.”
According to Benard Ndiema, a member of Chebukwabi donkey drivers, donkeys have been helpful in transporting water to homes, onions and vegetables to markets, and also as a source of income when lent out.
“We are happy that our donkeys have received professional attention from experts working with Ripple Effect; we have also learnt a lot about donkey handling and care, and we welcome more such sessions,” he reiterated.
Farmers from Mt. Elgon also benefitted from the free donkey clinic held at Kopsiro and Kipsigon, where over 70 donkeys were attended to by veterinarians and animal health providers this week.
Simotwo Kirong, an animal health provider from Chepyuk, could not hide his grin as he spoke to The Times Newspaper about the positive changes he has observed in donkeys both at Kopsiro and Kipsigon.
He says he has dewormed about 20 donkeys and observes that most of them are in good body and health condition.
“The only rampant cases here in Mt. Elgon are overgrown hooves, which result from the rugged terrain of this region; farriery services therefore need to be revamped,” he advised.
Sammy Kibet owns 11 donkeys, with the youngest one being one day old. He presents all his beasts of burden for deworming and hoof trimming at Kipsigon early in the morning with the help of his brother.
He confirms that most, if not all, farmers have changed their attitude on donkeys and now value them like gold.
“My donkeys are a source of income for my family; they are friendly and very resourceful, so every time Ripple Effect calls for such a field day, I never hesitate to tell my friends and neighbours so that we can all benefit,” Kibet divulged.
Despite cases of donkey theft, farmers who had brought their donkeys admitted to having been vigilant in amplifying donkey monitoring in the areas.
Conclusively, the turnout was impressive, and farmers have developed more compassion for donkeys since they are growing more inquisitive about how to better the welfare of the lovely beasts of burden.
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