WAJIR – Pastoralist communities in Northern Kenya are calling on government authorities and development partners to urgently intervene in the rising spread of livestock diseases as herders converge in grazing areas following recent rains.
Mr. Ahmed Warsame, a pastoralist from Dadajabula in Wajir County, said the influx of livestock from different regions into the area has triggered disease outbreaks due to overcrowding and limited veterinary support.
“After the rainfall, many pastoralists migrated here in search of pasture. Now animals from all over are mixing, and diseases are spreading quickly.
He said they are worried about their livestock and livelihoods.
“With the rains bringing life back to our rangelands, we must not allow disease to wipe out the very livestock we depend on,” said Warsame.
The situation echoes findings from a 2023 study published by Open access (OA) in Scientific Reports titled “Local and wide-scale livestock movement networks inform disease control strategies in East Africa”.
The report emphasized that while livestock mobility is crucial for accessing pasture and water.
The report noted that migration heightens the risk of infectious disease transmission, particularly at communal grazing and watering points.
Mr. Mohamed Hirsi, a resident of Ibrahim Ure, has urged the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development to deploy veterinary officers to conduct vaccinations, health screenings, and disease surveillance in high-risk areas.
He also recommend setting up mobile veterinary clinics and improving access to clean water to prevent further spread.
The pastoralists warn that without prompt intervention, the region could face serious economic and food security consequences, especially as most families rely heavily on livestock for their livelihoods.
Livestock plays a crucial role in Northern Kenya, supporting the livelihoods of pastoralist communities who rely heavily on cattle, camels, sheep, and goats.
The region is home to approximately 11 million cattle, 12 million goats, 6 million sheep, and 3 million camels.
These animals provide food, income, and cultural value, serving as a vital source of resilience in the arid and semi-arid conditions where crop farming is limited.
Livestock also contribute significantly to the local economy through trade and dairy production, making them indispensable to Northern Kenya’s social and economic fabric.
