Pastoralists communities in northern Kenya have been counting losses due to biting drought. Domestic animals — which are their source of livelihood — have been succumbing to the harsh climatic conditions, leaving them destitute.

Often these communities resist the temptation to sell livestock and hold on to them until they die. It has become the norm now so much so that when herders in North Horr wake up, they first check their cowsheds and remove dead animals. But why can’t they sell these animals before they succumb?

George Galgalo, who lives in Hurr Hills, says they cannot sell all their animals during the dry season, because they cling onto the hope that it will rain and they will once again have plenty of pasture and water.

“We can’t sell, what if it rains tomorrow, we cannot predict. We only sell a few heads of cattle and we remain with the rest so that when it rains they will multiply again,” he says.

He notes that if the herders could be getting regular weather forecast, they would be selling livestock early enough than watch them die

“Nowadays we are open to selling our livestock but also during drought there are no traders,” he says.

A camel costs approximately Sh150,000. The more camels one has, the more he is considered wealthy and commands respect. It has been three years since Marsabit North received seasonal rainfall. Mohammed Sharif says they traditionally sell male livestock and keep female ones. But the drought has pushed them to sell the female livestock as well.

The only way out for them is to move to new places where they can graze the livestock but they have since run out of options after Fora, Hurr Hills and Forole were hard hit by drought. In the fields, the cattle are grazed in groups according to the manyatta or homestead they come from to avoid conflict and confusion. The cattle belong to the community and only a few men are sent out to graze them.

Even when hunger pangs strike, the herders are not supposed to slaughter and eat the animals. It’s an honour for the community to entrust you to take care of their livestock

“The only advantage you have while grazing the cattle is you can milk them any time, and when a cow delivers a she calf while in the field it belongs to the herder. A he calf belongs to the owner,” Sharif says.

During this period, most animals die due to walking long distances, diseases, or the effects of drought. But the herder cannot sell or slaughter any animal until they get permission from the owner. Bulls come in handy during ceremonies or when a family needs to dispose off one to pay bills. 

“When one needs to pay school fees and they only have a female camel, they will exchange with a neighbor who will offer them two male camels which they can sell. If not that child will not go to school,” says Galgalo Duye.

Camels are also slaughtered only during ceremonies. There are parts of the animal that can only be eaten by women and others by men.