Turkana: The Turkana County Directorate of Veterinary Services, in partnership with Anglican Development Services (ADS) North Rift Region, has expanded its vaccination campaign to remote areas located kilometres away from Katilu and Lokichar urban centers. Dr. Erenius Nakadio, Deputy Director of Veterinary Services, explained that the initiative specifically targets distant pastoral communities where livestock populations are concentrated.
According to Kenya News Agency, the teams have successfully vaccinated 17,780 sheep and goats while treating 331 goats and 97 camels across Napusinyen and Ikole in Katilu, as well as Kadongolo, Lowiyadapal, and Lomuriamuge in Lokichar. The five-day campaign, supported by ADS North Rift, has seen a 638-animal increase in vaccinations compared to last year's efforts against diseases including Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP), pneumonia, anaplasmosis, and Trypanosomiasis, along with tick control measures.
Local administrators and Community Animal Disease Reporters (CADRs) played crucial roles in mobilising and sensitising communities throughout the operation. Geoffrey Kibiwott, ADS Field Officer for Food Security and Climate Change Adaptation, emphasised the programme's dual objectives of reducing disease transmission and mortality rates to enhance household food security. He highlighted the strong partnership with the county government, which has enabled efficient vaccinations and training for livestock keepers. Kibiwott also mentioned future plans to increase water access points near livestock concentration areas to reduce pastoralists' travel distances.
Community elders such as Lotukoi Loyomo and Marues Lemuya, whose herds received treatment in Lomuriamuge, expressed appreciation for the targeted veterinary services, acknowledging their significant impact on livestock health in remote regions.