Kajiado herders re-locate as hazardous flowery weed invade their land

Herders in Kajiado county are worried following a hazardous weed that has invaded their land affecting thousands of acres.

The evergreen weed known as Ipomoea has grown following the rains believed by the herders to have come as a blessing to them, after a long dry spell.

Thousands of herders in the county are now worried about insufficient pasture as a result of the weed and are now re-locating their animals to other areas including the neighboring country Tanzania

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The weed (Ipomoea) spreads very quickly and cannot be eaten by livestock and neither can grass grow under it or in its surroundings.

In addition, the strong scent from the weed’s flowers is said to cause respiratory complications including sneezing, especially in the evening.

According to Torome Ole Toros, a livestock farmer in Kumpa, Kajiado Central, at least 7,000 acres of his land has been invaded by the poisonous weed.

He says eradicating the weed has been a nightmare because the seeds are easily carried by wind and spread across other areas.

''This particular weed has cost us a lot, it has invaded half of my land, I have no pasture for my livestock. I'm left with no option rather than to move out of this place not knowing where to go,'' said a disturbed Toros.

Residents also fear that their children are at risk of consuming honey from the plant, which is associated with drowsiness and when consumed in high quantities, adversely affects their health.

Josiah Ole Saluni a livestock farmer from Mashuuru area in Kajiado East, revealed that the weed had spread quickly with the onset of the rains thereby destroying acres of pasture. He has resorted to buying feed for his livestock.

“I have no grass in my 40-acre land. The weed spreading very fast when the rain began. We are therefore appealing to the county government to come to our aid and help us get rid of this weed before it eats up all the grass,” Saluni said.

Memusi ole Kerimpa another livestock farmer from Maili Tisa near Namanga said the weed had invaded half of his pasture. He has been forced to buy livestock feed for his 2,000 livestock which is costing him a lot of money.

“We appeal to the county government to come to our aid, this particular weed is very dangerous - where it grows, grass cannot grow, and it spreads very fast. If not controlled, then we will no longer have pasture for our animals.”

Researchers are currently studying the plant as locals are urged to uproot and burn the weed as a temporary measure.

Kajiado Central is the most affected area, with statistics from the county government indicating the weed has occupied at least 45 percent of pasture land.

County Agriculture Executive Jackeline Koin said the county government plans to allocate some money that will help pastoralists uproot the weed. She, however, did not reveal the amount to be spent during the exercise.

She noted that the best way to wipe out the weed was to uproot it continuously for three years or cut its flowers, which carries the seeds.