Namaniko (Kalobeyei), Monday, May 26, 2025 (Public Communications and Media Relations)
The County Government, in collaboration with Lotus Kenya Action for Development Organization (LOKADO), has scaled up targeted vaccination and supportive treatment of livestock in Oropoi, Kotubai, Katodopothonyang, and Namaniko in Kalobeyei Ward, Turkana West.
Turkana West hosts the largest livestock population in the region. During dry seasons, often receives an influx of livestock from other sub-counties in search of pasture. Of recent, 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 10000 sheep and goats. Out of this, we have already vaccinated and treated 7000 shoats and 600 cattle,”Deputy Director for Veterinary Services, Erenius Nakadio said.
Dr. Nakhadio explained that adequate veterinary supplies, cold chains and equipments had been set up to heighten up disease interventions within the targeted areas.The efforts,he said, would curb the spread and effectively control livestock diseases with focus on Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR).
He observed that the latest Kenya Animal Biosurveillance System (KABS) and E-surveillance reports, indicate notable rise in disease prevalence, with diarrhoeal cases at 18.8%, while respiratory illness at 5.2%. 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 Offficer 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 community’s livelihoods,”stated Engor.
He noted that LOKADO is implementing animal health interventions, and rangeland ecosystem restoration through pasture seeds production and grazing patterns strategies.
