02/09/2026
Pet owners turn out in numbers as Turkana kicks off anti-rabies drive
Lodwar, September 1, 2026
(Public Communication and Media Relations)
Tens of pet owners in Lodwar turned out on Tuesday for the anti-rabies campaign to have their dogs and cats vaccinated and dewormed.
Veterinary Services Director Dr Benson Long'or took Chief Officer for Livestock Development, Fisheries and Aquaculture Peter Ikaru on a tour of the campaign, which runs from 8am to 5am for the next three days.
Chief Ikaru expressed confidence that with the arrangements put in place, the campaign will achieve its objective at the end of the exercise.
"We are confident we will enhance vaccination coverage of dogs, cats and donkeys against rabies while reaching out to many households,"noted the Chief Officer
Director Long'or said the three-day exercise aims to promote humane dog population control through annual spay and neuter campaigns, unlike in the past where roaming dogs and cats suspected of transmitting rabies were killed through poisoned meat baits.
Rebecca Awesit of Kanamkemer village said it was the first time she had brought her dog, Shaka, for vaccination. “I am satisfied that this vaccination and deworming will keep Shaka healthy and strong and stop him from roaming in the village. The vaccine will reduce rabies cases in dogs and cats,” she said.
During the campaign, Lokui James from Nariamawoi village brought in a goat that had been bitten by a dog. Thanks to the veterinary officers who treated the goat against rabies and later discharged it.
Samson Lochii, who brought in a male dog, noted the animal was vaccinated, dewormed and operated on. Lochii said his dog had benefited from vaccination for the second time this year and was more fulfilled that the exercise was done under humane conditions.
He encouraged those who had not brought their dogs to do so for free vaccination, noting that next time a dog falls sick, owners will be forced to buy a costly anti-rabies vaccine.
Later in the afternoon, Julius Mwangi, the Deputy Headteacher welcomed an Adopt-a -Child mentorship team at St Michael Comprehensive School comprising grade 7, 8 and 9 learners. The Learners were taken through various topics of significance to their career choices.
The mentorship was conducted through songs, storytelling and motivational talks..
The team distributed boxes of dignity kits containing sanitary towels, biscuits, pens and juices to the learners.
