By Andrew Mbuva.
A large-scale rabies vaccination campaign has been rolled out in Kaewa Ward, Masinga Sub-county, following an outbreak that left seven residents bitten by rabid dogs at Kivaa Market last week.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Machakos County Government in partnership with the Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW) and Kato Foundation of Denmark, targets the mass vaccination of dogs and cats as part of urgent disease control measures.
Dr. Dennis Bahati, Programs Manager at ANAW, said the exercise is aimed at curbing the spread of rabies, a disease he described as fatal once symptoms manifest.
“Rabies kills approximately 60,000 people globally every year, and in Kenya, about 2,000 lives are lost annually, most of them children,” he said. “Vaccination remains the most effective method of preventing and controlling this disease.”
Dr. Bahati noted that the campaign is not only focused on vaccination but also on raising public awareness about responsible animal care and the importance of disease prevention.
“We are targeting 34 villages in Masinga Sub-county, and so far, we have covered 15 villages and vaccinated over 1,000 animals. Our goal is to reach more than 3,000 animals by the end of the campaign,” he added.
Machakos County Veterinary Officer Dr. Lilian Njeri Mutungi confirmed that the operation was prompted by the recent outbreak and is being executed as an emergency response.
“We are here in Kewa Ward vaccinating dogs and cats against rabies following an incident where seven people were bitten by rabid dogs,” she said. “The only effective way to control rabies is through vaccination, and that is why we have mobilized all our resources.”
Dr. Mutungi disclosed that five teams comprising 10 veterinary officers have been deployed to cover five villages daily, with a target of vaccinating at least 2,500 animals within seven days.
“We are determined to reach every corner of Kewa Ward and, if possible, vaccinate every dog and cat,” she said, urging residents to cooperate. “I encourage all farmers and pet owners to present their animals for vaccination.”
Residents have welcomed the exercise, terming it timely and beneficial.
Joel Muia Makuthu, a local beneficiary, said the initiative has brought relief to the community. “We brought our dogs and they have been vaccinated. This is a good exercise because now our animals are protected and we feel safer,” he said.
Jacinta Nthenya from Kamuthumba village echoed similar sentiments, noting that such a program had never been conducted in the area before.
“This vaccination exercise has helped us a lot because our dogs have not been vaccinated for many years. We are very happy and grateful to the government,” she said.
Authorities say the campaign will continue until all targeted villages are covered, as efforts intensify to contain the outbreak and prevent further infections.
