Isiolo residents cautioned against seeking unprofessional veterinary services

A caravan of camels in one of the vaccination centres in Isiolo. [Bruno Mutunga, Standard]

Isiolo livestock keepers have been warned against purchasing veterinary drugs over the counter and treating sick animals by themselves.

The National Veterinary Board said there is an increase in incidences where the residents are either opting to treat sick animals by themselves or seeking services from unlicensed individuals and fake animal health practitioners.

Addressing journalists in Marsabit town during an operation aimed at mopping up quacks and unregulated medicine in the livestock industry, the board's Director of Compliance and Livestock Market Surveillance Dr Benson Kibore, issued a strong warning to herders against the use of drugs without professional guidance and reliance on individuals lacking veterinary training and the requisite certification.

An abandoned sheep after it fell ill. [Bruno Mutunga, Standard]

Dr Kibore expressed concern over the rising cases of misuse of veterinary drugs and improper treatment of animals in Marsabit County and other parts of northern Kenya.

He argued that this trend is exposing unsuspecting Kenyans to a massive risk of contracting diseases, and warned that the Government will not allow farmers to poison unsuspecting members of the public through contaminated animal products.

He noted that these unregulated practices have led to severe consequences, including a drop in milk production, poor quality of meat and milk, and even the spread of diseases due to failure by herders to adhere to proper, basic health standards.

This position has been backed by veterinary experts in Marsabit County, Mohamed Jillo and Esther Mburu, who argued that there was need for the government to intensify awareness campaigns to educate herders on the dangers of relying on quack animal doctors, or administering drugs to their animals by themselves without seeking professional counsel from certified and accredited veterinary officers.