At least 350 donkeys were vaccinated against rabies during a donkey health clinic held in Enkorika, Kajiado County.
The exercise was organized by the Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW) in collaboration with the Kajiado County Department of Veterinary Services, with support from The Donkey Sanctuary.
The clinic aimed to promote donkey health, welfare, and responsible ownership within the community. In addition to the vaccinations, donkey owners received training on proper feeding, treatment, and humane handling of the animals.
ANAW Chief Executive Officer Josiah Ojwang’ said the donkey population in Kajiado has grown significantly due to concerted efforts by the county government and animal welfare stakeholders to sensitise residents on proper care of the animals.
However, he noted that many donkeys still face challenges such as overloading, neglect, and inadequate healthcare.
“Some donkeys are overloaded, which causes fatigue and makes them age faster. Young donkeys are often mishandled, preventing proper growth, while poor loading methods leave them with wounds that affect their ability to work,” said Ojwang’.
In Kajiado County, donkeys play a vital role in daily life helping households fetch water, collect firewood, and transport farm produce.
“Donkeys are very profitable to us, just like sheep and cattle. We sell them to pay school fees for our children and meet other family needs,” said donkey owner Lemayian Memusi.
Another owner, Abigael Titus, said that communities are increasingly recognizing the importance of donkeys and the need to care for them properly to maximize their productivity.
Enkorika Assistant County Commissioner Sylvia Mintina urged residents to protect their donkeys and report any cases of theft to the authorities.
By Diana Meneto
