Better days are here for Mwea's donkeys

Healthy donkeys taking a break from work in Mwea town Kirinyaga county on December 2, 2015.

In the sweltering heat of the busy Mwea town in Kirinyaga County, Simon Waweru meticulously clips the hooves of Jack, a male donkey, as his other three ‘beasts of burden’ stand a short distance away chewing grass.

Satisfied that the animal is in tip-top condition, he lovingly caresses it on the neck the way one would a baby. Waweru clearly understands the importance of maintaining his donkeys in a healthy, happy condition.

“My donkeys pay my rent, feed, clothe and educate my children. I therefore ensure they get adequate rest after working continuously for three hours and I do not whip them,” he says.

There are about 4,000 donkeys in Kirinyaga County with the bulk of them at the Mwea Irrigation Scheme. And while in the past these animals were subjected to all manner of mistreatment, these dark days are no more.

This is due to sensitisation efforts by the Veterinary Department, the Kenya Network for Dissemination of Agricultural Technologies (Kendat) and warnings from the Traffic Department of the Kenya Police Service.

Slightly over a decade ago, it was normal to see a donkey pulling a cart bearing a heavy load with a man on top battering the hapless animal.

Today, the donkey narrative is changing . Most owners now tend to donkeys like they would their cows with adequate food, water and rest, besides deworming them regularly.

Donkey owners led by their chairman Leonard Gachoki, who represents 12 groups of donkey owners, agreed that a donkey cart will only carry a maximum load of 12 bags and that no animal will operate at night.

“We also agreed that cart operators must not whip donkeys and must wear reflector jackets. We are happy these rules have not been imposed on us rather they were arrived at on a mutual agreement,” he said.