PART V. 0
The case of East Coast Fever differs from that in South Afriea
and Rhodesia, inasmuch as it is endemic in this territory. Immunity
to East Coast Fever is only secured in the native reserves with a heavy
mortality varying from 20 to 60 per cent. among the calves. In the
settled areas protection is afforded through dipping, but outbreaks in
areas regarded as ‘‘ clean ’’ occasionally occur. There is little or no
fencing on farms.
Trypanosomiasis occurs at the lower altitudes. There is no
evidence to show that ‘‘ tsetse fly *’ belts, as hitherto known, are
extending, sporadic outbreaks of trypanosomiasis have occurred at
altitudes even as high as 7,000 feet, but they are not accompanied by
heavy mortality, and it is believed that in most cases the *‘ fly ”’ is
introduced by big game in the course of their migrations.
Foot and Mouth disease is of the mild type and is not accompanied
by serious mortality.
Horse sickness occurs, but it would appear that the disease is less
virulent than in South Africa. In any case the number of recoveries
in Kenya appears to be greater. Among sheep parasitic diseases,
blue-tongue, and a lung disease in one area account for most of the
deaths, but with efficient management they are not unduly high.
Among pigs occasional losses take place through outbreaks of swine
fever, but they are uncommon.
During the last two years there has been a marked change in
the cattle trade. In 1922 and 1923 native cattle for slaughter purposes
realised about Shs. 10/- per 100 lbs. dressed weight. Since then
prices have steadily advanced and to-day Grade oxen are selling at
33d. per 1b. and oxen of native type at 23d. per lb. dead weight.
The demand for oxen for draught purposes is not fully met by
the supply with the result that they fetch higher prices for that
purpose than for slaughter.
Through the increased prosperity of the natives, and through the
inclusion of meat in the ration of large numbers of native labourers
employed on the railway and agricultural properties, there has arisen
a substantial trade in meat for native consumption. Natives are
undoubtedly now eating more meat. The diet of natives in their own
homes, as well as when they are engaged as employees, would gain in
its nutritive value from an addition of meat. It is remarkable that
pastoral tribes, owning large numbers of stock, eat little or no beef,
even at a time when they are suffering from mal-nutrition.
There are opportunities for developing a considerable export in
meat from Kenya to Uganda, to supply in particular native needs in
that territory. Meat of the quality available, and in quantity, is
wholly suitable for the native trade, and it is a trade which should be
exploited and developed. In it will be found the best market for
local supplies. But it is essential that meat for native consumption
should be supplied at a low price within the means of the native to
buy, and in order to encourage its use.
Large numbers of cattle will continue to be maintained on farms
and in native reserves, but it should be observed that Kenya is not a
"* ranching ’ country in the proper sense of that term. For that
purpose land must be obtainable at a very low price. A great part of
the alienated area as well as much of the land in the native reserves
OR/K