A chorus of songbirds creates a symphonic background to lush pastures and thriving acacia trees. Few would suspect a recent drought has killed many cattle, leaving the grass uneaten to rot in the Maasai land of Puko, a community in Central Kajiado District southeast of Nairobi near the Tanzanian border.
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Norkeyio Nkurruna does not recall a drought this severe since she was a little girl. During this drought she lost eight cows, most of whom were expectant. The three remaining young ones will hardly be enough to support her six children and numerous grandchildren living within her compound. Her husband Olesalao has a total of twenty children with two other wives, and his herd of 306 is now down to a mere 50. He now leaves the pickup truck at the house, unable to afford the fuel for the 13 km trek to town.
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Heading to the Borehole Site
The whole region has suffered from the drought, with no health network for over 70 bomas or family compounds. The nearest water source is 11 km away, a borehole that was only put in last year and ceased to work for many months. This means a full day must be sent to take the cattle for water, and the women make the three-hour journey one way.
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