Turkana County has launched an anti-rabies and hydatidosis vaccination campaign targeting the elimination of the two diseases through coordinated efforts involving the county government and development partners.
Chief Officer for Livestock Development, Fisheries and Aquaculture Peter Ikaru said the vaccination exercise, which begins on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, is aimed at achieving zero rabies cases in the county.
“The anti-rabies and hydatidosis campaign starting this week, aims to achieve zero cases through joint efforts by county government and partners,” said Chief Ikaru.
Ikaru commended the Kenya Women Veterinary Association (KWVA) and other partners for their continued support of the campaign, noting that 185 dogs and cats were vaccinated during a similar exercise in August 2025.
He said the partnership between the county government and various stakeholders, guided by the One Health approach, has been instrumental in advancing efforts to control and eventually eliminate rabies and hydatidosis.
County Director of Veterinary Services Dr Benson Long’or, who led preparations for the campaign, highlighted the growing support the annual exercise has received from both international organisations and local development partners.
“More than 10 partners have supported this exercise. All efforts are geared towards controlling rabies and hydatidosis in Turkana County in line with Kenya’s strategy for elimination of human rabies 2014-2030,” Long’or said.
Long’or also disclosed that the National Director of Veterinary Services is expected in Turkana to assess the County Veterinary Laboratory and determine its compliance with relevant standards.
He said the laboratory’s strategic location in the North Rift gives it the potential to provide veterinary diagnostic services not only to Turkana but also to neighbouring areas and countries, including South Sudan, Uganda and Ethiopia.
The National Director will also visit the tannery at Naurenpuu to assess its viability and potential contribution to the development of the hides and skins value chain in the county.
As part of the campaign, veterinary teams will conduct neutering and spaying services for dogs and cats on September 1. The teams will also travel to Kapua to undertake activities focused on donkey welfare.
The programme will continue on September 2 with an Adopt-a-Child mentorship session at Napetet Girls Primary School.
The campaign will conclude on September 3 with student mentorship activities and a community celebration at Turkana University College as part of the project’s close-out activities.
Deputy Director of Veterinary Services Dr Erenius Nakadio said preparations for the campaign had been completed, with designated areas established for registration, vaccination and deworming, surgery and post-operative recovery.
He added that veterinary teams will also collect faecal samples for laboratory analysis as part of efforts to strengthen disease surveillance and improve understanding of the health status of animals in the county.
