DAMAGE ANALYSIS AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT (DANA) REPORT OF THE EFFECT
OF THE DROUGHT ON THE LIVESTOCK AND THE PEOPLES OF THE LARGER
MWINGI DISTRICT OF KENYA
INTRODUCTION
The Horn of Africa is experiencing major food insecurity as a result of lack of long rains in the region
in the last three years. This has resulted in a severe drought, which in Kenya has been declared a
national disaster. Over 3.5 million people in Kenya are facing this crisis, with the most affected being
the agro-pastoral and pastoral communities that reside in the arid and semi-arid arid lands (ASAL),
which compromise over 75% of the country’s land mass. The government of Kenya (GOK), and also
other organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have moved in to assist the
vulnerable communities and those affected by the drought and their livestock, using various
strategies and means to help the communities sustain their lives and livelihoods.
The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) endeavours to establish a bigger presence in
the African continent, to participate in issues and activities that would enhance the well being of
animals. To this extent, the WSPA has partnered with the University Of Nairobi (UON) to build
capacity and training on aspects of animal welfare, and more recently, on capacity building and
training on disaster management, with emphasis on how disasters impact on and would be handled
as they affect animals. Consequently, the WSPA has facilitated the establishment of a Veterinary
Emergency Response Unit (VERU) at UON to meet this goal. These initiatives would position Kenya
as a platform for animal welfare and disaster responses regarding animals in the region.
In view of the current drought emergency in the country, the WSPA felt the need to offer assistance
to the affected communities through the UON-VERU. A DANA team was thus put in place to carry
out the exercise.
METHODOLOGY
Laying of Groundwork
Initial consultations were held between Lindsay Fyffe, Nick de Souza, Henry Mutembei, Sergio
Vasquez, and Victor Tsuma on the sites for disaster assessment and intervention. It was agreed to
seek guidance from the Department of Veterinary Services in Kenya for recommendations on the
activity site. The Director of Veterinary Services (DVS), Kenya, Dr. Peter Ithondeka, recommended
the South Eastern region of the country for the intended intervention and after consultations with
the Eastern Provincial Director of Veterinary Services, the larger Mwingi district was agreed as the
DANA site. The Office of the President, Republic of Kenya, was also consulted, as this is the office
that deals with disasters in Kenya. Dr. Kiema was the link person in the office of the president. A
DANA team comprising the following personnel was set up:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Dr. Sergio Vasquez – Team Leader
Dr. Nick de Souza: WSPA Africa Representative- Logistics Backup
Dr. Henry Mutembei: UON-VERU- Liaison and Logistics person
Dr. Victor Tsuma: UON-VERU- Communications Person
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5. Dr. Edward Kiema: National Disaster Operation Centre (NDOC), Office of the President,
Kenya
6. Josiah Ojwang: Donkey Sanctuary, Kenya
7. Peter Ngángá: Driver, UON
8. George Kirimi: Driver, Private hire
The DANA was to be carried out with the clearance, knowledge and involvement of the necessary
structures of the Government of Kenya (GOK).
Meetings and Briefings
Sunday 28th August, 2011
All the DANA team members with the exception of Josiah (Absent with apologies), met at the Pride
Inn hotel, where Sergio and Nick were staying to know each other and chart out the schedule of
activities.
The following topics were discussed and adapted to the local conditions:This the role of VERU
Coordinator.
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ICS, roles and duties
Security and Biosecurity protocols
Communications protocols
Logistics
Meetings schedule and engagement protocol
Budget revision
The supplies for the field operations for the entire DANA period were source and purchased.
Monday 29th August, 2011
The entire DANA team visited the DVS at his offices in the morning. The DVS’s team consisted of Dr.
Peter Ithondeka (DVS), and Drs. Awando and Maritim, who work in the DVS’s office, in the section of
disease control. Henry introduced the DANA team to the DVS and his team, and also outlined the
objectives of the DANA. Nick briefed the DVS and his team on the mandate and objectives of WSPA,
and its engagement in Africa. The DVS welcomed the team to his department and indicated that the
larger Mwingi district was severely affected by the drought and hence the need for intervention. He
indicated that the main challenge in the area was water. He suggested that the scale of the activities
of the DANA should not be over amplified to avoid causing anxiety and over expectations by the
communities. He indicated his department’s willingness to participate in any intervention measures,
and that development of joint work plans would be a feasible way to go, as his department can
provide logistical support such as vehicles, personnel, vaccines etc. He reiterated the need for
sustainability of any intervention measures adopted. Sergio supplemented Henry’s outline of the
activities and re-emphasized to the DVS the importance WSPA attaches to operating within existing
government structures, and that the findings of the DANA would remain within the team and first
cleared with the office of the DVS and any other relevant government structure prior to any onward
sharing.
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From the DVS’s office, the team visited the Department of Clinical Studies, University of Nairobi,
where the UON-VERU is based. As above, Henry and Sergio briefed the Chairman of the Department,
Prof. Charles Mulei on the planned DANA activities. Nick also outlined WSPA objectives and mandate
and also recognized the great cooperation offered by the department and Prof. Mulei, in particular
in supporting WSPA activities within the department. Prof. Mulei welcomed the team to the
department and wished them the best in their endeavours. He appreciated the great efforts of
WSPA in assisting the University, and the department in particular to launch animal welfare and
disaster management capacity building and activities. He affirmed the University’s commitment to
be a centre of excellence in the ventures.
In the afternoon the team, with the exception of Josiah (absent with apologies), visited the NDOC, in
the office of the President. The team was received by Mr. Munyi, who is an Assistant Commissioner
of Police and is in charge of Logistics at the NDOC. Nick, Henry, and Sergio briefed him on the DANA
and WSPA. He conveyed the apologies of the Director of the NDOC, who would otherwise have met
the team but was engaged elsewhere. He took the team through the history of the centre and its
mandate. Namely, that the centre was established in 1998 following the floods as a result of the El
Nino rains, that ravaged the country. In 1998, there was a terrorist bomb blast in Nairobi, and this
further affirmed the requirement of the existence of the centre. The centre is manned by personnel
with a broad range of professional specialities. The mission of the centre includes, monitoring,
mobilizing and coordinating resources for disaster management, and also collaborating and
networking with other stakeholders in disaster management. Mr. Munyi then took the team around
the facilities of the centre.
Tuesday 30th August, 2011
The team left for Mwingi.
In Mwingi, the District Veterinary Officer (DVO), Dr. Peter Kithuka joined the team. Together with
Mr. Joseph Mandu, of the Livestock Production department, they briefed the DANA team that the
drought situation in the larger Mwingi was severe. In spite of this, the farmers were reluctant to
destock the animals. Usually, the farmers sell animals to buy food but not destocking due to
drought. The GOK had an off take/destocking program where severely affected animals were
purchased from the communities, slaughtered and distributed for free to the residents as food.
However, in some areas only a few farmers entered the program as they felt that the price offered
for the animals was low. The farmers keep hoping that the rains will come soon, and save their
animals. The officers also felt that another challenge was that the members of the community were
used to the culture of being given handouts.
In the afternoon, the DANA team had a meeting with some of the members of the Mwingi Central
District Steering Group (DSG), who included, the District commissioner (DC),Mr. Peter Kinuthia; the
Disaster Monitoring Officer (DMO), Mr. Francis Koma; and the District Livestock Production Officer
(DLPO), Mr. Wanderi. Henry introduced the DANA team to the DSG and Sergio gave a brief too. The
DC indicated that they had a lot of information on the ground and therefore needed to know what
the team was going to assess. Sergio indicated to him that the team needed to be on the ground and
see firsthand the situation and also verify any available information. The DC indicated that they had
already done assessment severally and written reports. They were now in the intervention phase,
and that that is what was needed. He requested that the timelines between DANA and intervention
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be shortened as the intervention was urgently required. He recommended enhancement of the off
take program and provision of pastures as priority. He instructed his team to cooperate with the
DANA team and avail to it all the information and support they would require for the exercise. The
DMO welcomed the team and provided the May, June and July bulletins on the disaster situation in
the district. He also provided the team with the digital map of the district and recommended the
routes to be taken for an effective DANA.
Wednesday 31st August, 2011
The team left Mwingi Central to visit Tseikuru district. On the way the team noticed some water
dams constructed with the aid of USAID. They also encountered farmers at some watering points
and interviewed them. One lady farmer indicated that she had 15 cattle, 70 goats and 32 sheep. She
had not lost any animals to the drought but had migrated her cattle elsewhere in search of pasture
as they were more vulnerable. She has a 12 acre pasture paddock that she has fenced for her
animal’s grazing. This, together with use of veterinary drugs, helped her cope with the drought. She
had destocked some of her animals, and was still concerned that there was no pasture for the
remaining ones. According to her, her greatest challenges in order of priority were: lack of feed for
the animals, animal health issues, and lack of labour. She felt that intervention ought to address
animal feeds, animal health, and basic training and community approach to animal health care. Since
she was not far from the watering point, water was not a challenge.
In Tseikuru district, the team was received by the Ngomeni assistant chief, Mr. David Musee
Kinyumu. He informed the team that the community required advice on how to cope with drought.
He also reported that Somalis had come into the area in search of water and pasture. To avoid and
resolve conflict, a council of elders consisting of 5 members each from among the locals and from
among the Somalis had been set up under his chairmanship. The DANA team visited a watering point
that was used jointly between the locals and the Somalis. The farmers had to walk long distances, of
up to 6 km to access the water, whereas the Somali pastoralists journeyed up to 4 days to reach the
water. Consequently, at best, the animals were watered once every 3 days.
Thursday 1st September, 2011
The team visited Kyuso district. They were received by the District Livestock Production Officer
(DLPO), Mr. Thiongo Wanjii and introduced to the Kyuso DC, Mr. Peter Maina. The DC indicated that
the district was food insecure and was dependent on relief food from the GOK, WFP, and the Red
Cross. Currently, the district was receiving about 2,000 bags of maize per month. There was also
intervention through the Ministry of Agriculture through assorted relief seed (green grams, sorghum
etc) in preparation of the expected rains. The challenge was that plenty of rain falls, but all of it
within a few days, not sufficient to sustain crop maturity. When the rains are well spread, the district
experiences good yields. Two years ago this happened and the district even exported green grams to
India. He thus felt that water harvesting can be of great help as the district is endowed with good
fertile soils and a warm climate. Meat animals also do well; bullocks mature fast and goats have a
high fecundity. Livestock is an integral way of life here. Insecurity arises when Somalis come into the
area and their animals feed and trample on the crops of the locals. The GOK has assisted with the off
take program. The concept of water harvesting, such as building houses with gutters and tanks is
lacking and needs to be inculcated in the community. He feels that priorities of intervention should
target water harvesting by way of establishing sand dams on river Thunguthu and at household level
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through guttering and water tanks, which can be done on a cost-sharing basis with the residents.
The DLPO, Mr. Wanjii, informed the team that on consultation with the community, the DSG
targeted goats for the off take program. This way, the financial benefits would spread to more
households, as many goats belonging to different farmers would be bought, slaughtered and the
meat distributed to the residents, unlike the case with cattle, where the same amount of meat for
distribution would be derived from fewer animals as cattle are larger, and thus only few farmers
would be paid to supply this low number. The DSG was also providing farmers with locally collected
pasture seeds for re-seeding when the rains come, and was also supplying some supplements to the
livestock. For distribution, there is a relief committee up to the grass root level that identifies the
most needy members of the community.
A farmer, Mathumbi Wambua was interviewed. He had 10 goats and 15 cows. His biggest challenges
were lack of water and pasture, and he had to walk his animals for 30 km to the watering point. The
watering frequency was every 3 days and sometimes they had to dig up to 90 feet to get to the
water. Additionally, there was a problem of transmission of animal diseases (especially mange and
respiratory diseases) from the Somali animals to his. Due to these challenges, the livestock prices
were low as the animals were in poor body condition. His coping strategies included migration in
search of water and pasture and feeding the animals on wild tubers (locally known as mathunzu). He
had lost 50% of his cattle to drought. His intervention prioritization would be water, animal feeds,
and animal health care.
Friday 2nd September, 2011
The team visited Mumoni district. They were received by Mr. Ndwiga from the DVO’s office and
presented to the DC, Mr. Tobiko Nayioma, who welcomed them. The DC indicated that the district
was receiving assistance from the Ministry of Special Programmes in the form of maize, beans and
vegetable oil. They were receiving about 2,000 bags of maize and 300 bags of beans per month. They
had also received financial support from the Ministry of Water and Irrigation for water trucking,
which they had delivered to 20 schools and 4 markets. The relief food is distributed and the process
is monitored. In the 2009 drought, the district lost almost 80% of its livestock population, and thus
the residents are cautious about restocking. If not for drought, the DC indicated that the animals,
especially goats, do well in the area, and recommends that farmers should concentrate on goat, as
opposed to cattle rearing. The district would appreciate and welcome any form of intervention. The
Catholic diocese was assisting in water harvesting in the form of dams. The FAO was also
constructing dams, and was involved in a cash for work program on terracing. The DSG has no
challenges with mobilization of relief supplies as relief committees are present to the grass root
level. The priorities for the district would be encouraging farmers to concentrate on goat rearing,
water, animal health care and empowerment of the residents. The DC then took the team to visit
one of the dams constructed by the catholic church. Around the dam will be planted indigenous
trees and pastures.
Saturday 3rd September, 2011
The DANA team visited Nuu Market in Mwingi East district. It was a market day, so the team was
able to interview a number of livestock keepers. Generally, their main challenges were lack of
pastures, lack of water (walk 3-5 hours to watering point) and animals succumb in the process. Their
coping strategies include destocking (although the community members are averse to selling
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pregnant or recently calved animals) and they purchase pastures from the market. Their
intervention needs would include provision of boreholes near the grazing zones, animal health care
and pastures. In this community, some women have formed groups that were involved in indigenous
poultry rearing, as an alternative livelihood source. We visited two such groups where they had
constructed enclosed poultry structures and each group member brought one chicken for the initial
breeding stock. One group had 8 chickens and the other one 12. They are trained on poultry
husbandry and their flock vaccinated for Newcastle disease. Lack of capital and the soft tick are
challenges to their venture.
Sunday 4th September, 2011
The team took stock of the DANA findings and spent the whole day to draft a joint DANA
intervention strategy.
Recommendations
The larger Mwingi consists of 6 districts namely, Mwingi East, Mwingi central, Mwingi West, Kyuso,
Mumoni and Tseikuru. Mwingi occupies an area of approximately 10, 030sq km. It borders Tana
River, Kitui, and Tharaka districts. It’s an ASAL region, with livestock keeping as the key livelihood.
The larger Mwingi has been negatively affected by drought due to failure of long rains. There has
been massive migration of animals from neighbouringTana River and Garissa districts into the larger
Mwingi in search of pastures, water and markets, hence worsening the situation via disease spread
and transmission; Mwingi is normally a livestock disease buffer zone.
The economy of Mwingi is largely dependent on livestock since it is an ASAL district and the most
sustainable means of utilizing her natural resources is by rearing livestock. The district is endowed
with high livestock population; (see table 1). However drought has and will severely affect these
numbers. The situation is going to worsen with the prolonging drought since pasture regeneration is
expected after the short rains around November/December; which is 3-4 months away.
Unfortunately, in a weakened and compromised state, many animals will also be lost when the rains
come, unless the animals’ strength is boosted. The drought and its negative impact on the livestock
has resulted in communities embracing alternative sources of livelihood, such as charcoal burning
and brick making, that are not sustainable and are severely detrimental to the environment.
The DANA team recommends the following interventions:
1. Immediate veterinary emergency response in Tseikuru and in Kyuso districts; these are the
areas with the highest concentration of animals within the watering points listed below.
 Mlangoni- Tyseikulu
 Ngomeni- Kyuso
 Mutaru- Mumoni
 Kasiluni-Kyuso
 Nuu- Mwingi East
In these areas, animal feed supplements, vitamins and veterinary treatments are urgently required
to boost the immune system of the animals. This response need to be done in two stages, one
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month apart so as to avert any animal deaths that might result due to onset of rains in
October/November this year.
2. Mid to long term interventions in Mumoni district and Nuu area of Mwingi East district. This
would include investment in Water borehole(s) in Mumoni district
3. In Nuu:
 Water pump for existing borehole
 Enhancement of pasture trade as a business venture
 Community based poultry enterprise
 Capacity building on poultry care
 Donkey care
Expected Outcomes
The immediate outputs of this response would be
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Recognition of WSPA intervention in Kenya
Boosted immunity of the affected livestock
Reduced animal death and suffering
Veru Team at the UON fit to response to future drought emergencies
Boosted Confidence of the National administrative structures for WSPA DANA
assessment
The Outcomes would be
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Better welfare of the animals
Better livelihoods of the farmers in the DART areas from increased market prices of the
animals
Project partnerships
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WSPA
UON
DVS
National Disaster Centre
Local administration
Project Execution
The UON-VERU to organize this:
Structure will be:
Overall Incident Commander:- VERU Coordinator- Takes video and snaps.
5 teams of : Each team: Lecturer as Team leader + 4 students + DVO +DS + LSGR.
University to provide Bus for students and Vehicles for lecturers
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Proposed Intervention Strategy
‘LEGS Participatory Response Identification Matrix’ (PRIM) for Kenya intervention
Mwingi Drought, Kenya
Technical
interventions
Destocking
Livelihood objectives
Rapid
Protect
Rebuild
assistance
assets
assets
****
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Emergency phases
Alert
Alarm
Emergency
Recovery
***
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Vet services
**
****
****
Feed
*****
*****
*****
Water
*****
*****
*****
***
***
Shelter
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`Provision of
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*****
livestock
Scoring against livelihoods objectives:
***** Significant benefits/ highly appropriate
**** Benefits / Appropriate
*** Some benefits
** A few benefits
 Very little benefit/ Not very apropiate
n/a Not appropriate
Proposed Exit Strategy
Mid - term objectives and projects will be owned by the community in coordination with the project
partners, breeding improvement, water management, AW trough good practices and alternative
resources programs will be managed by committees under supervision of the stakeholders involved.
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WSPA-UON-DS-DMOC-Agriculture Dpt. will maintain its presence and promote AW in the target
areas and continue the community approach of the projects. Nairobi University and Agriculture
Dept. will own the projects and promote the development in other communities under WSPA-Africa
logistical support through its VERU; and directly coordinated with WSPA educational programmes.
Information Sources (appendix)
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BBC
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1024563.stm
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http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1151.html
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http://www.africanmeccasafaris.com/kenya/guide/kenyamedical.asp
http://www.healthcareinkenya.com/index.php?option=com_sobi2&sobi2Task=sobi2D
etails&catid=70&sobi2Id=3251&Itemid=1
Agriculture department of Kenya, Nairobi
MwingiDistric Ministry
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