Maasai Council of Elders has called on farmers to take insurance for their crops and livestock to avert total losses during erratic weather seasons.
Led by their chairman Keleena Ole Nchoe, the elders observed that the Maa community has been losing millions of shillings during dry seasons as thousands of their livestock die, while during rainy seasons, crops from hundreds of farms are swept away by floods.
“We have seen our people incurring millions of shillings’ loss after their livestock die from prolonged drought or crops are swept away by floods. We need to embrace another way of doing things so that we cannot suffer losses. Farmers should take insurance for their livestock,” he said.
Nchoe who spoke at his office in Narok town challenged the Maa community to take insurance early enough before their livestock or crops are destroyed.
Narok County is rich in wheat, maize, barley, potato and beans products that do well in Mau, Trans Mara, Sogoo, Mulot and Melelo regions while other parts are known for keeping huge numbers of livestock.
However, during rainy seasons, crops from thousands of acres under plantation farming are destroyed by the flash floods that leave farmers counting huge losses, while the cows, goats and sheep die in large numbers during prolonged dry spells.
“In the past, the Narok land was not subdivided, hence farmers used to move to and fro with their livestock to search for grass and water during dry seasons. However, times have changed and the land has been demarcated which limits the movement of livestock,” he said.
At the same time, the Maasai council of elders asked those living on riparian land and water pathways to move from the area so as to avoid suffering during rainy seasons.
“We need to be always prepared in case of natural disaster or calamities so that we cannot lose people,” he advised.
By Ann Salaton
