Kakuma – November 3, 2025 (Public Communications and Media Relations)

At least 20 new trained Community Animal Disease Reporters (CADRs) were certified and gifted with reflector jackets after successfully completing the 21-day intensive training in Kakuma, Turkana West.

The trainees were drawn from Kakuma, Kalobeyei, Letea and Lopur Wards.

Three of these trainees were refugees from the Kakuma Refugee Camp. Tengeneza Emmanuel, Bernard Lusema, and Kayandi Cedrik expressed their satisfaction of being part of the larger Turkana West CADR’s family.

They will be scouting for animal disease outbreaks and sharing reports for action with the County Veterinary Office in Lodwar.

Tengeneza Emmanuel Fundi said, “Much of our reporting will mainly be on poultry farming within the Camp. We only have a few goats and sheep in the area,”

Presiding over the certificate-award ceremony, Dr Benson Long’or, Director of Veterinary Services, said their presence during the graduation ceremony is a testament of county government’s commitment to strengthening a healthy livestock sector that is free of diseases throughout the year.

“I am particularly proud that for the first time, we have integrated refugees in our community routine disease surveillance. It is my hope that other partners in Turkana West can emulate the same in their subsequent trainings,” remarked Dr Long’or.

Noting the support from partners, the director acknowledged the collaboration between the County Government and Turkana Pastoralist Development Organization (TUPADO), Danish Refugee Council (DRC), and Dan Church Aid (DCA). He statedbthis joint effort has made the implementation of the ‘Pathways to Prosperity’ (P2P) Project possible towards prioritizing livestock interventions through mass vaccination and training.

TUPADO’s Veterinary Field Coordinator, Dr James Keben, said the continued partnership with the county government has seen 54 CADRs in Turkana West trained. “Apart from the 20 newly trained, 34 have also received refresher training,”

Kidirio Etaan, a trainee from Namon village in Lopur Ward, appreciated the joint training with their counterparts from the camp. “There are many animals in Turkana West hence need for more reporters,”

He added that the certification will separate them from the quacks masquerading as experts in matters of livestock.

Apart from disease surveillance, the Coordinator added that P2P Project will continue facilitating livestock mass vaccination and supportive treatment in Turkana West.

“This project previously supported the vaccination of 113,000 sheep and goats that were vaccinated against Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR),” Dr Keben said.