How students from Keriko Comprehensive School are championing donkey care in Njoro

Students at Keriko Comprehensive School in Njoro sub-county are learning how to care for donkeys through a school club that promotes the humane treatment of these animals within the local community.

The Donkey Care Club (DCC) was set up to educate young people about the importance of donkey welfare. Members learn how to care for the animals and act as ambassadors for their protection within local communities.

Keren Wanjiku joined the DCC in 2023, when she was in Grade six. What started as curiosity quickly turned into a deep concern for the well-being of often-overlooked animals.

“Through the club, I have learnt that, like other livestock, donkeys should be given minerals, their health should be taken seriously, and they should be kept in clean, safe environments,” she says.

Although her family doesn't own a donkey, Wanjiku considers herself an ambassador for donkey welfare in her community.

“Thanks to what I’ve learnt at school, I now advocate for the better treatment of donkeys. I teach the community that they shouldn’t be beaten or mistreated because donkeys are helpers,” says the Grade eight student, adding that, through her advocacy, she has already seen some people in her community change the way they treat donkeys.

Dennis Mwangi, also in Grade eight and a fellow club member, shares a similar story. He joined the club in 2023, motivated by what he saw happening around him.

“I joined this club because I saw how donkeys were being mistreated. I wanted to learn how to care for them and advocate for their welfare,” he says.

Mwangi says that being part of the club has made him realise the true value of donkeys.
“They are important and can even be a source of income for their owners, so they should be treated well,” he adds.

Like Keren, he believes that donkeys deserve proper care and should be housed in clean shelters with access to clean water and nutritious food.

Margret Wanjohi, a teacher at the school and patron of the DCC, says that the club was set up to educate students about donkey welfare. Donkeys are often seen as unimportant in society.

“Through this initiative, we have also participated in poetry and music performances about donkeys, even reaching the State House. It has boosted students’ extracurricular development,” she says.

She notes that the programme has fostered leadership and responsibility among the students, with both the school president and deputy president being active club members. She attributes this to the club’s positive impact.

According to Kenneth Wamuga, the Executive Director of Farming Systems Kenya (FSK), the club is part of a broader effort to nurture young ambassadors who will help to change attitudes towards donkey welfare.

He explains that the initiative arose from the need to equip children with knowledge and practical skills from an early age, particularly in communities where donkeys are commonly used for transport and household chores during school holidays.

“We realised that many young people either use donkeys themselves or watch their parents do so. However, mistreatment is a major challenge, so the idea is to start teaching them while they’re still at school so that they grow up knowing how to care for animals compassionately and share this knowledge with their communities,” he says.

The school’s DCC, formed under FSK guidance, is one of the few in the region focused on animal welfare. It was selected to participate in this year's show, showcasing responsible donkey care knowledge.