Kenya
Capital: Nairobi
Population: 39,002,772
Population below national poverty line: 50%
Bóthar in Kenya:
Bóthar has been supporting projects in Kenya since 1997. This project involves farming with numerous different species including dairy goats, dairy camels and bees. Bóthar has sent 2 airlifts of dairy goats to Kenya, the first airlift of 40 dairy goats was sent from Ireland in October 1997 and the second airlift of 100 dairy goats was sent from Ireland in September 1999.
Bóthar has also supported its projects by providing 4x4 vehicles to the field staff so that they are better able to travel to the remote areas where some of the Bóthar projects are based.
Kenya Project Profiles
Project title:
Barpello Catholic Missions
Location: East Pokot, Kenya
Number of families: 140
Animals: 152 Pakistan bulls and heifers
Training: The families are trained in animal care and maintenance
Brief synopsis: In the arid region of East Pokot this project is being implemented. Camels are being distributed among the people here as other types of livestock are unable to survive long periods of drought.
Expected benefits: The camel’s ability to overcome dry periods gives food security to families in these regions
Local partner(s): Barpello Catholic Missions
Project title:
Baringo East Food Security Project
Location: Nginyang, Koloa, Marigat and Tangulbei divisions of Eastern Baringo
Number of families: 120
Animals: Bees
Training: In modern beekeeping practises
Brief synopsis: Families in Eastern Baringo suffer chronic food insecurity due to low levels of livestock and agriculture productivity and high levels of environmental degradation, both of which are accelerated by frequent droughts. To combat this, 120 families are being given 5 beehives each, trained how to successfully manage them and on the marketing of high quality honey. Importantly, they are also being encouraged to preserve and create a sustainable environment by planting trees and grass seeds, and in so doing, improving on existing honey production levels and reducing the impact and frequency of droughts. HIV/AIDS is on an upward trend in the country and this project also addresses the needs of these people, identifying affected families and supplying them with beehives to improve their situation.
Pass-on obligations: 120 recipient families
Expected benefits: By the end of the project, numerous social, economic and environmental issues of the area will have been addressed and participants will be producing, selling and managing their own products and animals.
Local partner(s): ABL (African Beekeeper Limited)
Project title:
Samburu Camel Project
Location: Ngurunit, Ilaut and Arsim sub-location, Baragoi division, Samburu district, Northern Kenya
Number of families: 500 women (belonging to 7 self-help groups)
Animals: One Camel heifer has been to each of the 500 families involved
Training: Camel husbandry practices, gender, environmental protection
Brief synopsis: This project, taking place in Samburu and being implemented by our partners Heifer Kenya, now has 428 camels with as many families, including 17 bull camels. Of these placed camels, 30 are now pregnant and are expected to calve down in the coming months. To ensure the health of the animals, local animal health workers both diagnose disease and administer medicine.
Pass-on obligations: Each family passes on one camel offspring to another member in the locality
Expected benefits: Camel milk, being highly nutritious, is addressing the high levels of malnutrition among children and their families. Surplus milk is then being sold from a centre, or processed into butter and being sold at a better price.
Local partner(s): PEAR (Participatory Education, Awareness and Resource Group), Heifer Kenya
