How the thirst of donkeys turned the fortunes of 30 village women

The 30-member group has 30 donkeys. They are self-reliant and are transforming their livelihoods by using donkeys. [Jayne Rose Gacheri, Standard]

"We were using the donkeys to fetch water and to offer transport services but due to the severe drought, the animals were miserable because of lack of drinking water," says Kanini.

After deliberations among the group members, it was agreed that they take the issue of the challenges to Machakos County government. Kanini says the women are happy that they made this decision because they got positive feedback.

According to the Project Coordinator, Onesimus Mwangangi, of Inades Formation, two water boreholes were sunk in 2020 within a radius of five kilometres apart.

"The county government came to the women's rescue by bringing in Brook East Africa to fund the project, which was coordinated by Inades Formation," says Mwangangi, adding that the women also got water tanks and a drinking trough for the livestock.

Nekesa explains that for every water jerrican sold, the women earn Sh20. Every day, she fetches 20 jerricans of water translating to Sh600 in a day. This does not include money earned from agribusiness.

Nekesa says that the group uses the dung from the donkeys as manure, against traditional beliefs that the animal's droppings should not be touched.

The donkeys are also useful in ferrying water for irrigation. She personally has 100 mango trees growing on her five-acre farm.

"We grow green grams, maize, beans, green vegetables, and fruits for both consumption and commercial purposes," says Nekesa, adding that they also keep commercial chicken and grow kitchen gardens.

The women work closely with agricultural officers from the county's Ministry of Agriculture for maximum farm output.

Damaris Ndinda, a group member, is full of praise for the donkey, which she uses to deliver water to schools, markets, and stalls.

She says it is only wise that she takes care of the animals so that they can serve her better.

"Through training, we have learnt to treat our donkeys well so we can get quality performance, as we have since established that a happy animal helps us laugh all the way to the bank," says Ndinda.

She says that Brook East Africa has trained her group on how to take care of the donkeys.

Nekesa explains that the group has 30 donkeys, and through interactions with them, they have learnt that the animals have feelings, just like humans.

"When they do not like something, they cry by making noises without ceasing, and when they pop their ears down, it means they are offended," she says.

The donkey, Nekesa says, gives birth only once a year, so they are very protective of them.

They recently held protests against a nearby slaughterhouse, demanding its closure after the disappearance of donkeys that were reportedly sold at Sh10,000 each to the slaughterhouse.

The group also plants trees to counter the effects of drought and climate change. From the tree nursery, they sell seedlings and make insect repellent from special shrubs.

"We also have an arrangement where we supply water to the schools where our children are enrolled, and the school fees are offset by the amount payable for the water delivered," says Kanini.