Kisumu residents cry for help after outbreak of mysterious killer livestock disease

Residents of Nyamware village in Nyando, Kisumu County, are now appealing for intervention from both levels of government following the outbreak of an unknown disease that is killing livestock in the area.

The disease, which manifests as lumps on the skin and causes death within weeks, is reported to have started in November and has affected herds of cattle.

Citizen TV visited Nyamware village in Kisumu, where 53-year-old Paul Onyango was inspecting one of his cows.

The cow was showing symptoms of a disease that has so far claimed the lives of 10 of his livestock. What begins as lumps on the skin of the animals develops into sores and has been cited as the main cause of the dwindling livestock population across Nyamware village.

"Ng’ombe anakuwa na rafu rafu mwilini alafu wanakufa na ng’ombe wanaendelea tu kufa. Sasa mimi nabaki na ng’ombe mbili na walikuwa ng’ombe kumi,” Nyamware resident, Salome Akumu said.

Another resident, Stephen Ouma, added, “Hiyo kidonda ukiguza hivi ng’ombe inaruka juu ni kama inamwasha. Sasa tunataka watu wa veterinary wakuje watuambie hii ugonjwa imekuja hapa Nyamware ni gani juu sisi hatujui inaitwaje."

Residents say they now rely on over-the-counter medication to salvage their livelihood.

"Kupata veterinary inakuwa ni shida maanake wako mbali na sisi na ukienda kwa ofisi wanasema hatuna petroli. Sasa tunashangaa kwani hawa watu wa serikali wameweka tu pikipiki kwa ofisi na hakuna petroli ya kufikisha hao watu kwa ground,” William Odhiambo noted.

Kisumu Agriculture CEC Kenneth Onyango says a team has been dispatched to investigate the cause of the disease.

With agriculture being among the government’s top agenda in ensuring self-sustenance, residents of Nyamware are appealing to both levels of government to contract more veterinary officers to improve the state of agriculture, especially among the smallest units.