Bungoma Administrators challenged To Be Part of Donkey Welfare As Population Diminishes

By Isabella Maua

Bungoma County administrators and security officers have been called upon to be part of reinforcing policies that protect donkeys within the region.

Speaking on Monday during a stakeholders meeting held in Chwele, Kennedy Wanyonyi, Ripple Effect Project Manager  challenged the area officials present to be on the forefront in protecting the delicate lives of donkeys who are on the verge of extinction.

“Our project aims at creating a sustainable improvement in communities and families’ livelihoods and the welfare of working donkeys in Homa bay county and Mt. Elgon, Bungoma as such we direly need your input as stakeholders to achieve this goal,” Wanyonyi emphasized.

Kopsiro OCS Peter Muriithi assured their commitment as security officers however citing numerous challenges hindering execution of their mandate.

“Despite the Cap 360 of penal code which protects domestic animals, apprehended offenders are either freed by politicians or awarded negligible penalties in court, this calls for revision of this act,” reiterated Muriithi.

Dr. Wechabe Simiyu Tongaren Sub County Veterinary Officer (SCVO)also highlighted threats to donkey welfare attributing climatic change and mushrooming of quacks veterinarians as a major hurdle in their quest.

“You should assist us in enlightening donkey farmers to seek medical services from qualified vets and encourage them to feed them well besides allowing them to exercise their normal behaviours,”Simiyu advised.

Present in the meeting were area OCS, Agricultural Officers, Ward and Sub County Administrators and veterinarians from Mt. Elgon and Chwele regions.

Consummately, as much as there’s emergence of NGOs advocating for Animal Welfare across Kenya, politicians and Court Users Committee need to be enjoined in the revision of Cap 360 or efforts to protect the Africa’s beast of  burden remain ineffectual.

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