'The pride of a camel herder is in the numbers'

The rains have failed for several consecutive years in north eastern Kenya. Animals are dying in unprecedented numbers and their owners are staring death straight in the face. While drought is a natural disaster, some residents are starving their children all in the name of maintaining their social status.

By Kassim Mohammed, Nairobi
Four-year-old Mohamed sleeps under an acacia tree. With swollen eyes and cracked lips he lies with his hands clasped tightly together. Mohamed has not eaten for days. His mother Halima is exhausted and the bags beneath her eyes are an indication of how Mohamed’s sickness is taking its toll on her.
She slowly lifts his frail body and rests his head on her lap. By now tears are rolling down her gaunt cheeks. Halima wants the best for her nine children but now all she can do is grieve.
[related-articles]
Slaughter, sell or starve
“We relied on the milk we got from our camels but because of the lack of pasture the animals give us no milk. If you think I am lying take a look at our fireplace,” she gestures.
The three stones that make up the fireplace are no longer in use. The piles of ash surrounding it are evidence enough that this family has not cooked for a long time.
She adds, “I can’t remember the last time we had maize or rice. Those are just luxuries for my family. We just need something to eat or milk. We were considered the richest in this village but our animals are of no use. We can’t slaughter or sell.”
Iron fist rule
Halima is frustrated by her husband’s 25 years of iron fist rule. Despite her family’s desperate hunger, 65-year-old Banin Korib shows no signs of sympathy.
“We had over 500 camels, 200 goats and sheep. My husband knows how to breed and not to sell or slaughter animals. The last time we sold one camel was 10 years ago when his mother died and we had to make funeral arrangements. I simply don’t know how the animals can be more important than his children,” she implores.
Camels
In this unforgiving scorched and semi-arid land, Banin reveres his camels. These desert animals are an integral part of life. He treats them like delicate flowers. The current dry spell however is dashing his hopes of maintaining his herd. He has lost more than 116 camels in the past three months.
We caught up with him five kilometers from his homestead while looking after his camels. Disturbed by the image of his starving family, I confronted him as to why he can’t slaughter one to save his own children.
“Youngman these camels here are my babies. I can’t slaughter or sell any of them just like I can’t slaughter my own children. I am also hungry so we should all persevere as the predictions are that rain will fall soon.”
‘Ships of the desert’
Banin says his camels give him strength and he prides himself on owning the greatest number.
“The Government should give us food aid so that we can survive otherwise I am not letting go of my animals.”
The local chief says he has received reports about Bani’s actions and plans are underway to provide his family with food aid. He also indicated that Bani may face legal action for his selfish behaviour although the details are unclear at present.
Animals and pastoralists may share an inseparable bond but Banin’s love for these "ships of the desert" is an obsession that risks breaking his family.