Donkeys on maternity leave: Why Kenyan women give their beasts of burden time off

When Mary Wanjiku sat for her KCSE in 2013, she scored a C-minus. With limited finances, further studies remained out of reach. In 2016, she married Maurice Mwangi, a matatu driver, and the couple settled in Githunguri, Utawala. But as their family grew, so did financial strain.

“This area does not have sufficient fresh water. I saw my neighbours using donkeys to ferry water, and that’s how I thought of owning one,” she recalls.

With her husband's support, Wanjiku purchased her first donkey for KSh13,000. Today, she owns several, using them to transport water, help people move homes, and carry construction materials. Charges vary based on the load and distance.

“A container of water costs KSh15. My donkey cart carries 20 containers per trip, and we make up to five trips daily,” she explains.

Her daily earnings range between KSh500 and KSh1,800—enough to cover school fees, rent, and food. Recently, they even bought land, all thanks to donkeys.

From Setbacks to Success

Mercy Kerubo, 30, also depends on her donkey business. “I had four donkeys, but jealous enemies poisoned them. Now I have only one, but it helps me survive,” she says.

Winfrida Mikae, a 53-year-old single mother and grandmother, has used donkeys for a decade. She credits them for funding her children's education, with some graduating from Kenyatta University and KMTC. She now serves as treasurer of the Githunguri-Ruai Donkey Owners Association, a 20-member self-help group offering table banking loans.

Wanjiku, Kerubo, and Mikae emphasize the importance of treating donkeys well for maximum productivity. “Donkeys are just like humans. If you treat them well, they love you. If you mistreat them, they refuse to work,” Mikae says.

They admit they once mistreated their donkeys but changed after receiving training on equine welfare. Now, they prioritize proper feeding, training, and creating a bond with their animals.

“When my donkey sees me, it starts billowing. It delights me, and I ensure I handle it well. I wouldn’t have survived in Nairobi without these donkeys,” says Kerubo.

Maternity Leave for Donkeys? Absolutely!

Female donkeys (jennies) require special care, especially when pregnant. Wanjiku recalls how she noticed her donkey was expecting.

“It had gained weight and wasn’t as efficient. I reduced its workload, allowing four hours of rest daily, and fed it dry grass, maize jam, and bran mash. I also ensured a constant supply of fresh water,” she says.

Veterinary officers assess donkeys every three months, often offering free services. However, donkey owners face security threats, with animals at risk of being stolen or poisoned.

“We want to own land to stop paying rent and hire people to guard our donkeys,” Mikae explains.

Kenya’s estimated 1.17 million donkeys are crucial in semi-arid areas, transporting water and firewood. In agricultural zones, they ferry farm produce to markets, while urban dwellers rely on them for commercial goods and water vending.

A 2019 Brooke East Africa report found donkeys ranked higher in importance than chickens, goats, sheep, cows, and ducks. Their role in transportation generates an average monthly income of KSh11,390 per household.

Despite their significance, donkeys suffer from poor welfare, including wounds, malnutrition, dehydration, and diseases.

Dr. Vincent Oloo, a veterinary officer at Brooke East Africa, notes that foals take three years before they can work, with light training beginning at two years. Female donkeys mature between three and four years, with pregnancy possibly at four. Males (jacks) reach sexual maturity at two to three years.

Unlike many animals with elaborate mating rituals, donkeys keep it simple. The jack brays loudly, kicks up his heels, extends his neck, and holds his tail erect to grab jenny’s attention. If interested, she coyly glances back before allowing mating, which lasts only seconds.

Jennies have an 11- to 14-month gestation period, typically giving birth to a single foal. Twins are rare, occurring in only 1% of births. Unlike horses, donkeys don’t have seasonal breeding patterns. However, droughts and dry seasons can affect fertility.

“The ideal breeding time is spring or fall to avoid extreme weather during pregnancy and birth,” Dr. Oloo advises.

A pregnant donkey’s diet should be 70% grass and 30% concentrates like bran and mineral salts. Water intake should be frequent but in small amounts due to their smaller stomachs.

According to The Donkey Sanctuary, working hours for pregnant donkeys should be regulated. Dr. Opere, a veterinary officer, warns that mistreated or malnourished donkeys may fail to reproduce, affecting owners' profits.

“Owners often don’t call us when donkeys miscarry because they know it’s their fault. We also find foals born weak and dying due to mishandling,” she says.

Dr Opere recommends at least three months of reduced workload in a donkey’s final trimester and another three to four months of maternity leave post-birth.

“This allows the foal to grow strong while suckling. But most people only give a month, which isn’t enough. More rest time will help increase the donkey population and reduce miscarriages and weak foals,” she explains.

Jennies produce about a litre of milk per feed, exclusively nursing their foals for six months before introducing solid foods.

In a country where donkeys are lifelines for many families, ensuring their well-being, right down to maternity leave, is not just compassionate but also good business.