8th November 2019 marked yet another great day in the history of Kisumu, as County witnessed the ground breaking ceremony of Ksh. 132 million Kisumu County Dairy Enterprise Development Center, launched in Muhoroni Sub-County
The objective of the project is to improve household incomes and nutrition by strengthening the dairy industry in Kisumu, thereby improving the living standards of the citizens and contributing to the local economic development.
The project is set to enhance job creation, revamp economic activities for actors in the dairy value chain, increase the number of improved dairy cows in the county and increase the incomes of dairy farm households.
The scope of the project includes; Construction of the Dairy Development Enterprise Center, Drilling of a borehole and water connection to dairy center, Capacity building of the dairy value chain actors, Improvement of local dairy herd through artificial insemination (A.I), marketing and promotion of dairy products.
” This project expected to be completed in a span of six months is jointly funded by the European Union at a tune of Ksh 110 million and the County Government of Kisumu at a tune of Ksh 22 million.” Gilchrist Okuom, County Minister of Agriculture.
According the CS Ministry of devolution and ASALs Hon. Eugene Wamalwa the project is set to boost milk production and reduce the 43M litre milk deficit in the County as well as create employment under the Big 4 Agenda.
Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o together with his Deputy Dr. Ochieng’ Owili joined Hon. Eugene Wamalwa, C.S for Devolution and ASAL and H.E Simon Mordue European Union Ambassador to Kenya at the ground breaking ceremony of the project Muhoroni Sub County.
Kisumu Governor, Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o and CS for devolution and ASALs Hon. Eugene Wamalwa laying the foundation for the County dairy enterprise development project
The director veterinary services Dr. Evans Odhiambo has announced plans to hold a 2-day bating exercise in Seme Sub county on the 8th to 10th of July 2019 which will be followed by a mass vaccination drive.
Recently, the County government has been on high alert following rabies outbreak that caused the death of two children reported in Seme Sub County. The County directorate of health and its sister directorate of Veterinary services held a meeting to review a rabies investigative report done by the Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (FELTP) anchored within the Ministry of Health and supported by Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Following rabies epidemic in most parts of the County, the department reached out to FELTP to help understand the rabies prevalence in Seme sub county. According to Dr. Daniel Ong’are of FELTP Kenya, there is increased awareness of rabies prevention and control measures through education and information on responsible pet ownership, how to prevent dog bites and immediate care measures after a bite.
The report presented by Dr. Ong’are indicated one of the challenges experienced by the community as inaccessibility of anti-rabies due to the distance to the health facilities thus hindering access to full dosage of the vaccine.
Human rabies is virtually always fatal despite numerous attempts at aggressive therapy by the health facilities. Most survivors receive one or more doses of rabies vaccine prior to the onset of the dog bite, however many more survivors fail to get to the health facilities for a follow up vaccines.
The report recommended capacity building of health care workers on RIG and PEP administration, proper record keeping and tracking of patients to ensure adherence to immunization protocol, continuous sensitization of the community on availability of public goods and services at public health facilities, reduction of dog population coupled with sensitization on responsible dog ownership and sustainable regular vaccination of dogs to achieve herd immunity.
The County Pharmacist Dr. Lawrence Otieno confirmed the availability of anti-rabies stating that the County has maintained buffer stock for the vaccine. Dr. Odhiambo of County Vet services also pledged to donate 100 more of Antiviral for rabies to go to the health centres.
Kisumu is one of the selected counties for rabies pilot study in Kenya having been pronounced as an endemic area with Seme Sub County as the most affected endemic areas in the County, followed by Kisumu East, Kisumu West, Muhoroni and Nyakach Sub counties respectively.
By Matilda Atieno
Dr. Daniel Ong’are of FELTP Kenya presenting a report on the study of rabies endemic in Seme Sub-county to the CHMT in Kisumu ( Picture By David Wadulo)