It’s market day at Kimana market in Kajiado, south-western Kenya.
Anxious farmers stand at different strategic points with their animals hoping to attract prospective buyers.
In years gone by they would be hoping to make a lot of money, but every Tuesday for the past few months they have had to sell their emaciated cows at throw away prices. Some prized cows now go for as little as $10 (£8.60).
After two seasons of below average rainfall there hasn’t been enough pasture to feed the animals, some are too weak to stand on their own, others collapse and die as their owners wait for buyers.
Farmer James Ndondoti tells us he managed to sell four cows. In good days he would sell his cows for between $300 to $500, but today he got three of them at $150 and a calf for $80.
“We have had previous drought periods but this one is the worst we have ever seen. Our livestock are dying because there is no grass to feed them, no water for them to feed, nothing… so we opt to sell them at a loss because we still have families to take care of,” he said.
With the onset of short rainy season, there is some expectation that it will bring relief.
There will however be a period of one month before the grass grows and the farmers are worried that most, if not all, of their livestock will make it.
It’s market day at Kimana market in Kajiado, south-western Kenya.
Anxious farmers stand at different strategic points with their animals hoping to attract prospective buyers.
In years gone by they would be hoping to make a lot of money, but every Tuesday for the past few months they have had to sell their emaciated cows at throw away prices. Some prized cows now go for as little as $10 (£8.60).
After two seasons of below average rainfall there hasn’t been enough pasture to feed the animals, some are too weak to stand on their own, others collapse and die as their owners wait for buyers.
Farmer James Ndondoti tells us he managed to sell four cows. In good days he would sell his cows for between $300 to $500, but today he got three of them at $150 and a calf for $80.
“We have had previous drought periods but this one is the worst we have ever seen. Our livestock are dying because there is no grass to feed them, no water for them to feed, nothing… so we opt to sell them at a loss because we still have families to take care of,” he said.
With the onset of short rainy season, there is some expectation that it will bring relief.
There will however be a period of one month before the grass grows and the farmers are worried that most, if not all, of their livestock will make it.