Camels Replace Cows As Kenya Battles Drought

A member of the semi-nomadic Samburu community said that they no longer have cattle at home; they only raise camels.

Transcript

00:00In Northern Kenya, where drought has decimated the cattle herds of the Samburu pastoral communities,

00:15camel farming is becoming increasingly common. These long-necked mammals capable of feeding on

00:22dry grasses and going more than a week without drinking can produce up to six times more milk

00:29than the native livestock.

00:59Camel milk contributes up to half the total nutrient intake during droughts among pastoral

01:20communities in the north.

01:27The village administrator James Labuski said that there are no more cattle, they all died

01:34in the drought, so now people don't have them.

01:35The village administrator James Labuski said that there are no more cattle, they all died

01:41in the drought, so now people don't have them.

01:49The village administrator James Labuski said that there are no more cattle, they all died

01:56in the drought, so now people don't have them.

01:59Moving cattle herds to more fertile areas during the dry season can spark conflict with

02:28herders.

02:29Camels are happy to stay where they are.