The County Government of Turkana, in collaboration with the Kenya Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Council (KENTTEC), has launched a two-week initiative. The initiative aimed to eradicate the Tsetse fly invasion along the Kenyan-Ugandan border.
The initiative was led by the County Directorate of Veterinary Services, Dr Benson Longor after the intervention responded to complaints from residents of Turkana West and Loima Sub-Counties who had been adversely affected by the pest.
The team is concurrently conducting screening and treatment of livestock in Lokiriama, Urum, Oropoi, and Natiira, in line with the directorate’s mandate to control livestock diseases.
Livestock Development Chief Officer Dr Ezekiel Ekuwam emphasized the strategic partnership to combat Tsetse fly invasion. This has been done in collaboration with several organisations including, KENTTEC, LOKADO, and the USAID NAWIRI.
He expressed gratitude for their support and affirmed the government’s commitment to involve more stakeholders in disease surveillance and control.
County Director for Veterinary Services, Dr Longor, highlighted that the current intervention focuses on trypanosomosis control in Turkana. He specifically targeted Lokiriama, Loima, Turkana West and Lokichoggio Sub-Counties.
He said the sub-counties were selected due to their proximity to Uganda’s Kidepo Valley, a known breeding ground for the tsetse fly.
The veterinary services director also emphasized that pooling resources for this initiative would further enhance One Health initiative, foster community-based reporting and control zoonotic diseases along international borders.
Earlier, the Western Region Staff Western Regional Staff visited Marachi Central Ward, Busia County, to resolve a complaint lodged by one of the farmers on Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis menace. The staff members were led by Regional Coordinator Agnes Otwani.
The Regional Staff trained members of the Khasayo Community Based Organization on Tsetse control techniques and channels used in complaints logging with the Council.
The Community Members were issued a rocking spray pump and seed insecticide to encourage Livestock Spraying. The KENTTEC ensured people contacted them immediately in case of complaints on Tsetse and trypanosomiasis.