Herders Counting Losses After 315 Camels Were Swept Away By Floods

ISIOLO,Kenya, Dec, 4 – Residents of Merti, in Isiolo county are counting losses after 315 camels were swept away by flash floods on Wednesday along the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River.

The county alongside Meru and even Laikipia have experienced heavy rainfall in the last four days.

Adan Galgalo, one of the herders who incurred heavy losses says that he had migrated to the area following the rains in a bid to ensure his livestock obtained water and pasture.

He lost 115 camels.

“We did not expect any danger at the time as our camels had gone days without water or pasture. On the fateful day, the heavy storm water from upstream surrounded the animals and they could not save themselves. They were swept away one after the other,” said Galgalo.

Over 100 camels are said to have been stranded as of Thursday as the water levels rose and despite efforts to save them, they were also swept away.

The herders are now calling on the government to assist them in tracking down some of the camels believed to be alive as others seek others sources of livelihood amidst a raging drought in the area.

A section of herders meanwhile pointed an accusing finger to area leaders for failing to mitigate the crisis.

“Rescue teams must now be set up to locate and bring back the camels that might have survived and are now stuck,” he said.

The 315 camels are said to have belonged to 10 people. The incident happened at Biliqo Marara in Chari ward,Isiolo county.