Geoffrey Ondieki

2 weeks ago | nation.africa | Geoffrey Ondieki

In the dusty Munanda Village in Baragoi, Samburu County, 72-year-old Lydia Melde Letipila sits outside her humble manyatta, squinting at a handful of brightly coloured beads. Despite her failing eyesight, Ms Letipila’s hands still retain the rhythm of sewing, threading, stitching and weaving intricate beadwork patterns —  an art she has mastered over decades. “Nowadays, I struggle to see clearly because my eyesight is becoming poor,” she says.

3 weeks ago | nation.africa | Geoffrey Ondieki

A new wave of livestock disease outbreaks is spreading across several arid and semi-arid (Asal) counties, posing a significant threat to pastoral and agro-pastoral livelihoods. According to the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), cases of foot and mouth disease have been reported in Garissa, Isiolo, and Marsabit, Isiolo, among others.

3 weeks ago | nation.africa | Geoffrey Ondieki

What you need to know:Several areas that had become hotspots for cattle rustling and violent ambushes are now experiencing a lull in attacks. In the last two months, about 18 people have been killed by gunmen and several others are recovering from serious injuries. An uneasy calm is slowly returning to parts of Samburu County where residents have endured weeks of terror at the hands of heavily armed bandits.

1 month ago | nation.africa | Geoffrey Ondieki

On a windswept hill in Ng'ari area on the outskirts of Maralal town in Samburu County is a dimly lit manyatta. The humble abode is home of 101-year-old Ngaato Lesiokono. Though frail and bedridden, he remains sharp-witted and lucid. He rests on a simple wooden bed with a worn-out mattress and faded blankets, occasionally lifting his head with effort to narrate a piece of his untold story.A pair of old crutches leans against the wall, his only means of movement on good days.

1 month ago | nation.africa | Geoffrey Ondieki

Samburu pastoralists are increasingly turning to camel rearing as a sustainable alternative to cattle herding in response to the escalating challenges posed by frequent droughts and climate changes. Samburu is a semi-arid region that has for a long time been associated with prolonged droughts, hunger and impoverished populations.