Donkey owners across Turkana are set to benefit from a new artificial intelligence-powered application, Punda Wangu, launched in Lodwar to improve donkeys’ safety, health, and welfare.
The app, developed by the Institute of Pastoralism Development and Research with support from Brooke East Africa, an international charity organisation dedicated to improving the lives of working donkeys, horses, and mules, is designed as a one-stop mobile platform, integrated with a Donkey Welfare Call Centre.
The app will allow donkey owners to report theft, receive emergency veterinary guidance, and obtain vital information on animal care and legal protections through a toll-free number, 0800 000 890.
IPDR, which has worked in Turkana for over a decade, supports communities with veterinary services, advocacy, and training on sustainable equine care.
Speaking during the launch, County Director of Veterinary Services Dr Benson Long’or said the innovation would play a crucial role in mapping donkey populations, enabling more effective service delivery.
“Our appeal to donkey owners is to use this platform not only to report donkey-related concerns but also to share information on diseases affecting other livestock. This way, the app and the call centre become vital tools in improving overall animal health in the county,” Dr Long’or said.
Turkana, Kenya’s leading county in livestock population, is estimated to host over 200,000 donkeys, which play a vital role in transport and household livelihoods.
However, the animals face growing threats from theft, overwork, and the illegal skin trade. The situation is further worsened by the nomadic pastoralism lifestyle and cattle rustling traditions among the neighbouring communities from both within Kenya and across international borders from Ethiopia, Uganda and South Sudan that neighbour Turkana.
According to Mariko Ebei of IPDR, Turkana has witnessed an alarming rise in donkey theft and slaughter for skins, making the app and the call centre a timely and much-needed intervention.
The initiative roped in partners including the Institute of Pastoralism Development and Research (IPDR), the Turkana County Government Department of Veterinary Services, security agencies, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Turkana Peace Actors Forum representatives and the Judiciary, in a demonstration of shared commitment to animal welfare.
As part of the launch, donkey owners were sensitised on the legal protections in place against abuse, arbitrary slaughter, and mistreatment of animals.
By Peter Gitonga
