Turkana County Government in collaboration with Lotus Kenya Action for Development Organization (LOKADO), scaled up targeted vaccination and supportive treatment of livestock in Oropoi, Kotubai, Katodopothonyang, and Namaniko in Kalobeyei Ward, Turkana West.
Turkana West Sub County hosts the largest livestock population in the region. Recently, parts of Kalobeyei Ward have experienced a significant increase in livestock movement, resulting in cross-contamination between healthy and infected animals. This has triggered an outbreak of various livestock diseases.
“The exercise will last for six days and targets 10,000 sheep and goats. Out of this, we have already vaccinated and treated 7000 sheep and goats and 600 cattle,” Deputy Director for Veterinary Services Erenius Nakadio said.
Dr. Nakhadio explained that adequate veterinary supplies, cold chains and equipment had been set up to heighten up disease interventions within the targeted areas. This would curb the spread and effectively control livestock diseases with focus on Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR).
He observed that the latest Kenya Animal Bio-surveillance System (KABS) and E-surveillance reports indicated a notable rise in disease prevalence, with diarrheal cases at 18.8 percent and respiratory illness at 5.2 percent. These cases have been predominantly reported in Oropoi, Nawountos and surrounding areas.
Lobuin Lokoki, a kraal leader and Community Livestock Disease Reporters along the border, expressed his gratitude to the county and LOKADO for their prompt response to the sick livestock.
“We are grateful for this timely response for our animals that were sick of Lumpy Skin Disease, anaplasmosis and Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia diseases common during the rainy season,” Lokoki said.
Lokado’s Resilience and Development Project Officer Dennis Engor said LOKADO is working in partnership with Turkana County Government to implement livestock production and veterinary services programs.
“Our strategic partnership with the county government has been seamless. The ongoing targeted vaccination and supportive treatment is the latest of the many vaccination support we have undertaken, keen to enhance immunity in targeted livestock along the Kenya-Uganda border, thereby preventing animals from dying of diseases and thus improving the resilience of the community’s livelihoods,” stated Engor.
He noted that LOKADO is implementing animal health interventions and rangeland ecosystem restoration through pasture seed production and grazing pattern strategies.
By Peter Gitonga
