Dr. Raphael Kinoti- Regional Director, Brook East Africa
Donkeys are usually the most underrated animals yet the most vital for the economy in Kenya and for the welfare of millions of people.
Working donkeys are the backbone of rural and urban communities for the benefits they render in the aspect of productivity.
In an economy with major participation from the agricultural and informal sectors, the donkey plays an important role in poverty eradication and the sustenance of the economy. Rural households would not function without the use of donkeys.
They carry water, firewood, and help with farming, which lightens the load on women and kids. This is especially important in drought areas like Northern Kenya, where there are food shortages in 22 counties because of drought.
In situations of disasters, donkeys emerge as the first animal species visible while offering help to the process of migration by carrying essential goods and delivering water. They contribute to resilience by allowing communities to recover and support families to continue economic activities despite environmental issues.
Donkeys would be important because, without them, many families would be even more vulnerable to danger.
In urban areas, the economic inequality is more evident. In constituencies in Nairobi, such as Kasarani and Ruai, scores of youngsters depend on donkeys to earn a living.
Speaking on Monday at Regional office on Monday, Raphael Kinoti- Regional Director of Brook East Africa said that recent survey done by Brook East Africa shows that 40,000 Kenyan youths in urban centers rely on donkeys for their livelihood, exceeding those in big companies, with only 5,000 employees in the country.
He noted that rearing only two donkeys can bring in at least 2,000 shillings per day from sources such as the supply of water, carrying construction materials, and carrying merchandise.
“I’ve talked to young people in Nairobi and they are telling me if you own two donkeys in Nairobi, for example, on average each day you earn at least around Kshs 2,000. This is an animal that is actually sustaining livelihoods for people.” he said
The survey further showed that donkeys also provided an earning potential of up to 12,000 shillings per person per month and thus potential entry into employment among young individuals in urban areas.
From an economic point of view, donkeys reinforce Kenya’s informal economy, which contributes largely to GDP. Donkeys promote trade and building in urban areas; they bring dynamism into the towns’ economies.
The ban by the African Union on the trade of donkey skins last year took cognizance of this, citing declining numbers.
Also, the recent motion by the East Africa Legislative Assembly calls upon member states to restrain this trade, taking into consideration regional economic interdependence with such animals.
Nevertheless, a threat such as illegal slaughter and smuggling of donkey skins threatens this positive contribution. Uninspected meat from donkeys could pose serious health concerns, such as zoonotic diseases like anthrax, risking disruptions in both social and economic productivity.
The need for protection of donkeys is beyond animal welfare concerns but is an economic one as well. By protecting the resource, Kenya can support livelihood strategies, increase job creation, and improve the ability to cope with change.
In emphasizing the importance of donkey, he makes a compelling point about a stable economy.
“We urge the government to protect this resource as a critical resource for the economy of a country like Kenya.” said Dr. Kinoti