By Fredrick Kioko
The Machakos County Government, in partnership with the Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW), has intensified efforts to curb the rising cases of rabies in Masinga Sub-County through a free mass vaccination campaign targeting dogs and cats.
The exercise follows reports of suspected rabid dogs in the area, prompting the county’s Department of Veterinary Services and ANAW to launch a coordinated response aimed at preventing the spread of the deadly disease among animals and humans.
Speaking to the media during the exercise, Dr Dennis Bahati of ANAW said more than 3,000 dogs and cats had already been vaccinated as part of the campaign.
Dr Bahati said the initiative was designed to address the growing threat of rabies, which he noted continues to claim lives in Kenya, with children accounting for the majority of reported fatalities.
“Our main concern is to prevent rabies, which is on the rise. Recent statistics indicate that rabies causes the deaths of more than 2,000 Kenyans annually, the majority of them children,” he said.
He explained that the campaign was being implemented through three key approaches: mass vaccination of dogs and cats, community awareness and sensitisation on rabies prevention and control, and dog population management in collaboration with the Veterinary Department to address the problem of stray dogs.
Residents welcomed the initiative, saying the free vaccination had eased the burden of accessing anti-rabies services, particularly for communities located far from urban centres.
Lucy Mutiso, a resident of Yandai Village, said she brought her dogs for vaccination to protect them and reduce the risk of rabies transmission.
“We have faced challenges because we live far from town, where we can easily access anti-rabies vaccines. This exercise has come at the right time,” she said.
Mutiso added that vaccination was critical because treatment was more manageable when a person was bitten by a vaccinated dog compared with a bite from an unvaccinated animal.
Masinga Sub-County Administrator Titus Ndambuki Ngemu said research had established that rabies was becoming an increasing concern in the area, prompting the county administration to seek support from ANAW.
He said the initiative followed consultations involving the Machakos County Government and the Governor, who engaged ANAW to support the free vaccination programme as part of efforts to prevent and ultimately eradicate rabies in the sub-county.
The exercise has benefited residents in several villages, including Mukameni, Kyeeteni, Kwa Mboya, Ndovoini, Germany, Konani, Musumaa, Kivuthi, Sawasawa, Ulutya, Kituneni, Kwa Yoko Catholic, Yandai, Mukusu, Kyangosi and Kwa Suvu, among others.
The partners said continued vaccination, public education and proper management of stray dogs would be essential in containing rabies and protecting both animal and human health.
