The drought causing animals to drop dead in Kenya

Cattle carcasses lying near an empty water pan in Tana River County, Kenya on July 2 2022.

Source: Lisa Murray

THIS COW AND more than 40 others are decaying on the side of a dusty road in the south-east of Kenya as the country battles its worst drought in decades. 

Around half a million people are estimated to be at risk of famine in the Horn of Africa at the moment. 

The Journal recently visited Turkana County and Tana River County in Kenya to report on the impacts of drought. 

Crying children waiting for help at a malnutrition clinic and dead cows left to rot were among the indicative scenes captured on the trip. 

The country has been experiencing drought for two years with the Kenyan president declaring it a national emergency last September. 

Livestock deaths, failed crops and higher levels of malnutrition are among the main impacts of drought. 

The reality of malnutrition was seen first-hand at a clinic for women and children in Turkana County. 

Women waiting for their children to receive treatment in Lekwasimyen in Northern Kenya’s Turkana province on 28 June 2022.

Source: Lisa Murray

Ngirethi Ekakutan holding her younger sister, Mary Ekakutan at a malnutrition clinic in Lekwasimyen in Northern Kenya’s Turkana province on 28 June 2022.

Source: Lisa Murray

Engoit Lokidor’s 4-year-old son, Maraka, being measured for malnourishment at a clinic in Lekwasimyen in Northern Kenya’s Turkana province on 28 June 2022.

Source: Lisa Murray

Women waited with children to be assessed for malnourishment. The children’s height, weight and arm size are examined to see if they are in a healthy range for their age. Many in this area are not. 

Patrick Lokitela, a Concern health and nutrition officer, said the drought has been “very challenging” for people coming to the clinic.  

The Journal spoke to Engloit Lokidor who attended the clinic with her sons Eragan and Maraka. 

Through a translator, she said she has nothing to hope for at this stage but for the hunger to end.

Engloit Lokidor’s and her 2-year-old son, Eragan at a malnutrition clinic in Lekwasimyen in Northern Kenya’s Turkana province on 28 June 2022.

Source: Lisa Murray

A child being weighed at a malnutrition clinic in Lekwasimyen in Northern Kenya’s Turkana province on 28 June 2022.

Source: Lisa Murray

Drought has had a severe impact on the health of goats, cows, sheep and camels across the country. 

Many livestock have died – starkly shown here in images from the road to Ruko Village in Tana River County.

Around 45 cattle carcasses were found in various stages of decay along a sandy road near an empty water pan where rainwater would usually collect. 

Cattle carcasses lie by the side of the road around 35km south of Garissa, in Tana River County, Kenya on July 2 2022.

Source: Lisa Murray

Cattle carcasses in Tana River County. Kenya on July 2 2022.

Source: Lisa Murray

The Journal met villagers from different areas in the north west and south east of the country.  

Many were worried about their livestock dying and the rising cost of goods like maize. 

A woman carrying a bucket of stones in Milimatatu Village, Kaeris, Turkana County in Northern Kenya on 27 June 2022.

Source: Lisa Murray

Farmers sitting under a tree next to their plots of maize in Matanya village, Tana River County in Eastern Kenya on 30 June 2022.

Source: Lisa Murray

Access to clean water is still a challenge especially in times of drought. Some get it from hand dug wells, others from community water schemes. 

Joseph Ikitela fetching water from a hand dug well in Kapua, Northern Kenya on 29 June 2022.

Source: Lisa Murray

A child lifts up an empty water can lined up outside a water pump in Ruko village in Tana River County, Kenya. Taken on July 2 2022.

Source: Lisa Murray

The animals that have managed to survive until now are often malnourished and impacted by disease.

Goats, donkeys and camels are the most hardy in times of drought. Cows and sheep are less able to deal with the situation and many have already died. 

Goats drinking at dwindling water sources in Karebur river, close to Karebur Village in Northern Kenya’s Turkana province. Taken on 29 June 2022.

Source: Lisa Murray

Camels drinking water in Tana River County in Eastern Kenya on 1 July 2022.

Source: Lisa Murray

Arri Kote Kumbi walking with cattle in Matanya village, Tana River County in Eastern Kenya on 30 June 2022.

Source: Lisa Murray

With the help of irrigation schemes, people in even the driest areas are able to grow fruits and vegetables.  

Watermelons, tomatoes, peppers, kale, onions and mung beans are among the crops growing. 

Maize is also commonly grown around the country. It is the only meal some people eat in a day in the form of a stiff porridge called ugali. 

Ereng Kaleng Kalimapus showing a handful of maize, as he explains this is the only main meal his family eats each day. Taken at his home in Milimatatu Village, Kaeris, Turkana County in Northern Kenya on 27 June 2022.

Source: Lisa Murray

Watermelons growing in Tana River County in Eastern Kenya on 1 July 2022.

Source: Lisa Murray

Maize growing at an irrigated plot of land in Matanya village, Tana River County in Eastern Kenya on 30 June 2022.

Source: Lisa Murray

At the heart of this story are the people whose livelihoods have been disrupted by the drought. 

People who rely solely on livestock for food and income whose animals have died. 

Families who can no longer afford to pay school fees for their children due to the rising cost of living. The price of essentials like maize and cooking oil, for example, has doubled. 

People are struggling and waiting for the rains to fall. With the effects of climate change exacerbating as the global temperature continues to rise, these droughts will occur again and their impacts will continue to be harshly felt. 

Richard Ekale Nakalale’s wife posing for a photo at her house in Milimatatu Village, Kaeris, Turkana County in Northern Kenya on 27 June 2022.

Source: Lisa Murray

Rethodhaley water pan sitting empty after consecutive failed rains in Tana River County, Kenya. Taken on July 2 2022.

Source: Lisa Murray