Cattle die in Homa Bay after eating toxic plant as drought persists

Residents of Arujo Village in Homa Bay view carcasses of cattle which died after eating a poisonous weed known as bracken fern. [PHOTO: JAMES OMORO/STANDARD]

HOMA BAY: The County becomes the first in Nyanza region to experience the effects of the ongoing drought as 18 cattle die after eating a poisonous herb.

Chief Officer for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Jenipher Ndege said the cattle belonging to six farmers from Homa Bay town sub-county ate a poisonous weed known as bracken fern.

"We got complaints from three farmers in Rangwena and another three in villages in Arujo location that their livestock had died mysteriously within a very short time. We carried out a post-mortem and found out the animals had eaten the poisonous plant," Ms Ndege said.

The chief officer said the deaths had resulted from a drought which has hit the area for about three months now.

SURVIVING PLANT

"Bracken fern is drought resistant and that is why it is the only green plant surviving. This is why the animals tend to feed on the plant when they are left to graze alone because they have no alternative," she added.

"Our farmers can buy feeds from other areas or take the animals to villages which are safe."

The post-mortem came at a time when some farmers in Arujo village had begun pointing accusing fingers at one of their own for pouring poison in a nearby river.