By MaryAnne Musilo

Tum Kirwa, a journalist and video producer from Eldoret, has more than tripled his income moving into sheep shearing, earning from Sh10,000 to Sh13,000 a day, delivering a service that transforms sheep health.

In 2022, he bought a shearing machine for Sh15,000 to shear his own Dorper sheep after a hired shearer failed to show up. “I had called someone to shear my sheep, but he failed to show up. So, I decided to invest in a machine to do it myself,” he said.

Kenya has around 18.9 million sheep, but there is a shortage of professional shearers, leading to delays in shearing services for farmers. This gap in the market has seen Tum expand his services, now shearing 40 to 60 sheep a day, mostly from Wednesday to Friday, across Nakuru, Kitale, and Nyahururu.

The shearing is critical to sheep health as it “helps reduce heat stress, prevent fly strikes, and allows tick spray to reach the skin properly,” said Tum.

Sheep can get heat stress when temperatures go above their normal body temperature of 38.3–39.9°C and start panting and breathing faster Heat stress can be fatal for sheep but is less common when they are sheared as they are better able to regulate their own temperatures.

Flystrike, caused by blowfly larvae, also leads to severe discomfort and even death if untreated, but shearing can provide up to six weeks of protection against flystrike by removing soiled wool and reducing the dampness on sheep’s skin.

Ticks are another major health problem, as they can transmit diseases like Nairobi sheep disease. Shearing makes it possible to apply tick pest controls.

In many countries, as well as giving better sheep health, the sheered wool is sold for an income. As well as being used to make wool for clothing, it is used to insulate and sound proof homes and as polishing pads, a soil conditioner and as a slug repellent in farming. It can also be processed into slow-release fertiliser pellets, absorbent pads for oil spills, and packaging material. Extracted lanolin from wool is used in moisturisers and medical creams. However, in Kenya, most wool goes to waste due to limited local processing and low demand for coarse wool.

“I would like to connect with those in need of wool, as it has various uses,” said Tum. 

Accessing quality shearing equipment is also a problem. “Many machines in the market break down easily. I currently have around 20 that are non-functional,” said Tum. 

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He also emphasizes the importance of proper shearing techniques to prevent injuries. “You start from the hind leg, then proceed to the stomach, and move toward the shoulder and head. Throughout the process, the sheep should be lying flat. After that, turn the sheep to the other side and repeat the same procedure. Hold the machine at a flat angle to avoid injury, and step on the lower hind leg in an inclined position. One should wear gumboots to protect your legs from kicks,” he said.

“When the sheep is aggressive, make sure it relaxes before proceeding, as this makes the work easier,” he added.

“I always strive to avoid injuring the sheep. Mishandling the blades can cause wounds, which are costly to treat,” said Tum. Common injuries during shearing include cuts and abrasions, particularly around sensitive areas like the neck, rear flank, and eyes, which require immediate cleaning and treatment to prevent infection.

“Even a small mistake can cause serious injury.”

Beyond shearing, Tum has ventured into sheep trading, capitalizing on his extensive network. “I have a client in Kitale who brings 40 to 50 sheep every Saturday. He sells them by the next week,” he said. The end of the month sees a surge in demand, possibly due to salary disbursements.

For those interested in sheep shearing, Tum advises starting with a solid network of farmers and acquiring knowledge on machine maintenance and sheep handling. “You can start slowly, but understanding the equipment and the animals is key,” he said.

Tum’s ultimate goal is to ensure every sheep leads a comfortable life. “I want to see animals happy, with clean and healthy wool. It’s about their well-being,” he said.

For shearing services, Tum Kirwa can be contacted at 0790339984.