This archive report was first published on 1 November 2019.
Published on November 1, 2019, an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) has ravaged Bahati in Nakuru County, claiming the lives of at least 300 cattle in the last two months.
John Kinyua, a local farmer, has lost six animals to the disease in the last two weeks. He has 40 adult cows on his farm, with more than half recovering from the disease.
Area MP Kimani Ngunjiri has also fallen victim to the disease, losing eight cattle and having at least 12 others affected. He has turned to alternative treatments, including a soda ash solution and busaa, a traditional brew believed to help restore the animals' appetite and speed up the healing of wounds.
"We use Magadi solution to wash the wounds in the mouth and feet to speed up healing. The wounds limit cows from eating. The disease makes the cows lose their appetite. Once they start to heal, the busaa comes in as an appetiser to save the cow from starving," Ngunjiri explained.
Harun Muchiri, a farmer from neighbouring Ahero village, has also lost cattle to the disease. He described the experience, saying, "Last week I lost one cow and called a veterinary officer who confirmed the remaining two had already been affected by the virus."
Joyce Njoki, a widow, has been left staring dejectedly at her barn after four cattle died in the span of one week.
