Mifugo Complex, June 17, 2025 (Public Communications and Media Relations)

Residents in Lodwar, Turkana Central trooped in early in hundreds at Livestock Development premises for the free mass rabies vaccination campaign, marking its first day.

The campaign is jointly carried out by the County’s Directorate of Veterinary Services, Kenya Women Veterinary Association (KWVA), Agency for Cross Border Pastoralists Development (APaD), Ultravetis East Africa Ltd and Brooke East Africa.

Reportedly, Dr Nakadio said the exercise has yielded good results. “At the end of first day, we have vaccinated 35 dogs and cats while spaying and castrating 19. As a result of this, I thank all the veterinary doctors taking part in the drive, as well as our partners for the support.”

During the early part of the day, he hosted a team of Kenya Women Veterinary Association and APaD’s Dr Ngui Sammy in his office for a consultative meeting. Later, they visited the County Cold Chain and Veterinary Laboratory before joining the teams in rabies mass vaccination.

The exercise aims at reducing the population of stray dogs and cats, and to mitigate the risk of rabies transmission, which remains a significant public health concern in Turkana County.

Purity Melly, one of the pet owners, from Juluk village, her male cat was vaccinated and castrated. She said, “this is for the first time I have come for this exercise, now and henceforth, I am relieved of the burden of looking for my cat at wee hours of the night and restless during the mating season.”

Another resident of Kailoseget village, Peter Etabo appreciated the team’s skills, noting their seamless surgical operation in the exercise. “I am grateful for the job well done by our doctors, after my dog went through the spaying surgical operation.”

Dr Getrude Shepelo of KWVA observed that the first day of the activity had great enthusiasm from the community members who brought in their dogs and cats for vaccination, deworming, spaying and castrated. She also mentioned of the great coordination within the working teams.

On KWVA’s support, Dr Shepelo had this to say, “we are providing technical assistance and expertise in the spaying and neutering in the exercise.”

We have also, she added, provided financial support to procure activity supplies. KWVA team will facilitate mentorship of learners in St. Michael Comprehensive School in Lodwar Municipality.

Further, Dr Nakadio stated that, this is the fourth edition of this campaign that was piloted in March 2022. By 2026, the Veterinary Doctor hopes to achieve a 70% Rabies vaccination coverage in Turkana West and Central Sub-counties.

Moving forward,he said, the Directorate is planning to roll out quarterly dog clinics in partnership with KWVA.

The campaign still runs for the second and third day from Wednesday 18th to Thursday 19th June, 2025 in Kanamkemer at former Oxfam Offices.

Key people during the exercise include Dr Anne Ndeke, Dr Job Rono and the veterinary doctors involved in the entire campaign.