Samburu pastoralists plead with govt to supply them with grass

Livestock farmers in Samburu County have called on the county and national government to supply grass to the region to save their livestock from dying of starvation.

The farmers lamented that pasture in the region has been destroyed by the severe drought that has persisted since August 2015, adding that they have been depending on grass planted in former Samburu West MP Simeon Lesirma’s farm and who has now stopped sharing the grass.

“I appeal to the county and national government to unite so that they can supply our community with grass. If they fail to do so we might lose our cattle before February if the drought persists,” said Edward Losenge, a resident of Loosuk area.

According to Losenge, the former MP has reserved the remaining 900 bales of grass for his cattle after selling more than 70 per cent of his stock to residents at Sh300 for each bale.

Meanwhile, residents are appealing to the government to buy their livestock at good prices to prevent them from incurring huge losses as a result of the ongoing drought.

“I ask the government to create a profitable market for our cattle and goats. We are currently selling them at a huge loss due to the ongoing drought,” he said.

This comes as the county is facing a prolonged drought that according to weather forecasts will continue for another six months.

Written by Eddy Ashioya