I overcame storm after storm to make it this far

Dr. David Ole Sankok with some of his livestock in the farm located in Ewaso Ng'iro, Narok County, during the interview. [PHOTO/NANJINIA WAMUSWA/STANDARD]

If he is not at his clinic treating patients, he is most probably in his farm tending to his animals and crops. That is how Dr David ole Sankok's life is structured.

During the day he is at his Loita Lab Medical Clinic, in Narok town and in the shamba in the evening.

Although he has more than five farm hands, he finds it necessary to be closely involved in the day to day activities in his farm.

“If you love what you do, you need to get involved. I love farming, and a day hardly passes without me visiting the farm, unless when l am out of town or the country,” he says.

Dr Sankok has 40 acres under maize, tomatoes, french beans and fruits like mangoes, pawpaws and avocados.

Because of the drought and long dry spells in the area, he practices irrigation to raise the crops.

The medic also keeps livestock and owns 20 dairy cows, two exotic bulls and nine calves plus over 100 local cattle. He also has five acres of eucalyptus trees.

So how did he start his journey into farming?

 Born and brought up in a Maasai pastoralist community, Dr Sankok always dreamt of venturing into farming on a large scale.

 He says: “Since I was a child I always admired the life of farmers and I vowed that after clearing my studies I would take up farming. I am happy my dream has come to pass,” says the doctor.

After sitting his Form Four exams at Kericho High School in 1996, he joined University of Nairobi to study medicine.

Earlier, after finishing high school, his hope was to start farming and juggle it with his university classes. But he lacked capital. Lady luck smiled his way when he was in second year at the university.

 “I was elected a student leader and the money started coming my way as small grants. That is how I started my project,” says Dr Sankok, who is also the Chairman of National Council of Persons With Disabilities.

 He recalls that in 2000, a senior politician gave him some ‘good’ money which he used to purchase five acres at Mau Belt. He also bought eucalyptus seedlings and planted.

“In six years the trees were mature and ready for harvest.”

In 2005, he sold all the trees and made Sh3 million.

 Coincidentally at that time, drought had hit hard Narok and cattle were dying in large numbers. This forced locals to sell their flock at throw away prices. Dr Sankok purchased some of the emaciated livestock.

 He bought 100 cows, each between Sh1,000 and Sh 1,500.

After buying the cattle, he called a veterinary doctor to check if the animals were healthy.

 He says: “The vet treated them and assured me that the animals were oK. I only needed to feed them well,” says Sankok.

To boost their health, the doctor bought hay and grass in huge bulk.

Unfortunately, five of them died after two months.

“But luckily, some of those I had bought were pregnant and 15 gave birth. Within two months, the rains came and things started to look up,” he recalls.

He sold the surviving livestock after ten months at Sh50,000 each making Sh4 million.

Looking how far he has come, Dr Sankok says the best decision he ever made was buying the emaciated cattle. Gloomy as the situation was then, it was the turning point for his agribusiness.

“I wish I even bought more of those animals. If l knew they would thrive someday, I would have bought over 300. But they looked so weak and I did not want to take a huge risk which would have plunged me into huge losses.”

 From his big sale, Sankok bought five dairy cows at Sh50,000 and started dairy farming in 2010.

He says, “I discovered there was a huge demand for fresh milk yet there was no supplier,” he says.

Today, the dairy cows give him 80 litres of milk per cow— 40 in the morning and 40 in the evening.

Though he looks like he has arrived, he says he still faces some challenges.

“I use a lot of money on animal drugs and feeds especially during the dry season,” he laments.

Climate change which has led to long seasons of drought also poses as a challenge because he has to buy water. He also has to deal with locals who steal his crops at night. Despite the challenges, he soldiers on with hope and determination day after day.