‘Time is running out’: desperate appeal to save donkeys from drought
An equine charity has launched a desperate appeal to save the lives of donkeys in drought-stricken Kenya.
UK-based charity Brooke is taking action to provide feed and water to almost 14,000 donkeys in the East African country.
These equines provide a lifeline to poor people living in rural areas.
“Crippling seasonal drought is becoming more frequent in Africa,” said Dil Peeling, head of animal welfare and sustainability at Brooke.
“We saw it where we work in Senegal in 2015, and now in Kenya.
“Working donkeys are vital to people’s livelihoods here — they carry water and food for families, fuel and building materials. They help people earn the money they use to put food on the table and children in school.
“Time is running out – we need to act now.”
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Brooke has set a target of £23,600 to be raised through JustGiving.
The problem
Along with their owners, Kenya’s working donkeys are suffering from lack of food and water.
Below average rainfall has caused a drought in the country, and on 10 February the government declared the drought a national disaster.
It is affecting 23 arid and semi-arid counties and pockets of other areas and is expected to last until July.
The drought situation is set to get worse over the coming weeks.
Government aid has started, but working donkeys are being left out of current emergency response action, so Brooke’s team in Nairobi has stepped in.
Alongside their day-to-day work, they will be providing water to 13,100 donkeys, and feed to 800.
“It’s estimated that one donkey can support a family of six, so the work is also set to benefit 80,000 people,” added a Brooke spokesman.
“To help thousands of people and their working donkeys, support the Brooke action for working horses and donkeys appeal.”
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.