Since the attack on the school I have often been asked about the violence here. What the is violence about? Why are they attacking things like schools? Isn’t raiding just about cows? I came across a statistic that helps answers some of these questions. The livestock industry in Kenya (largely unregulated and under reported) is …
Thank you to everyone who has been helping us to rebuild our library by sending us books. If you want to help, if you have a book at home that your kids loved but have grown out of, you can pop it in an envelope and send it to us, where it will get loved …
Locusts swarms have been causing destruction across much of Northern Kenya for several months now. So far we have been lucky, they have passed by us to the north, and south, but not landed on or near the school. That all changed 3 days ago. Reports are that the newly hatched swarms coming out of …
Due to habitat loss the once abundant grey crowned cranes of East Africa are on the decline. Our marsh area was a typical example. It used to be a great breeding habitat for the crowned crane but as it dried up and was heavily grazed the crown cranes were left without a suitable breeding habitat. …
The difference between land that has been protected from livestock, and land that hasn’t, is very clear to see in this photograph. The damage done to the ecosystem by overgrazing has had a dramatic impact on the land around Olng’arua School, and across northern Kenya. Over grazed land is compacted and desiccated, it sheds rain …
The rains have wreaked havoc across East Africa. Our part of northern Kenya is no exception, however, here at least it seems that the rains are now abating. The ‘long rains’ are normally not that long for us, the forecast and the weather signs seem to indicate that they are now coming to an end. …
In the last 8 weeks there has been unusually heavy rain over most of East Africa. In Northern Kenya we have seen very little rain during the last 3 years. Life has been dominated by drought, with recent rainy seasons providing no more than a few odd showers. Then in March this year the heavens …
The rain should have made me feel good. Here, in the arid lands of northern Kenya, rain is what we pray for, and when it comes it brings relief and joy. We have had very little rain in the last few years, rainy season after rainy season has disappointed. Everybody has lost livestock because of …
The last 2 years have been very difficult for the community surrounding Olng’arua School. Violence has resulted in two thirds of the people who lived here being displaced, houses and possessions destroyed, livestock stolen and lives lost. The community was totally unprepared for the violence. Though there have been occasional periods of insecurity in the …
In the village on the border of Isiolo and Laikipia counties the last two weeks have been relatively quiet. With just a few minor livestock raids in the area and whole days without the sound of gunfire, by the standards everybody has become used to, this has been a peaceful time. It is a blessed …