A mysterious disease has struck Munyu village in Thika East, killing more than 20 dogs in two weeks.
So far, it has only affected hounds but has left residents worried that it might start affecting human beings and other domestic animals.
Residents on Wednesday said sick dogs have symptoms of diarrhoea, vomiting and loss of appetite and they die in less than three days. They have no idea whether it is a zoonotic disease or it can also spread to humans over time.
“I noticed that my dogs were growing pale and weak and they could hardly eat. I thought they might have consumed some poisoned food. After three days, I found them dead,” said Michael Karanja, who has lost two dogs to the unknown disease.
Karanja said he learnt that the deaths had nothing to do with poisoning as more dogs died days later in the locality.
The residents said the canines have been playing a significant role in combating the theft of livestock and losing them will be costly. They have also been keeping wild animals such as hyenas at bay, especially at night.
“We fear that livestock theft, which had declined in the recent months, will creep back. The dogs have been helpful to us in warding off livestock thieves. We direly need intervention from relevant authorities to save others from dying,” Karanja said.
James Matara, who has lost four dogs, said many villagers are baffled. “I settled in this village in 1968 and I’ve never seen anything like this. Dogs are being wiped out by the strange disease,” he said.
Matara said they have reported to the Kiambu county Agriculture and Livestock department but no help has come their way.
“Our pleas have fallen on deaf ears and we don’t know who will save our dogs from dying of this strange sickness,” he said.
But Kiambu Agriculture and Livestock executive Joseph Kamau told the Star on the phone that he wasn’t aware of the situation in Munyu village. He, however, promised to intervene.
“I will follow up with the livestock directors and make sure the residents get the assistance they require,” Kamau said.
The residents expressed fear that they, too, might get infected with the disease alongside other domestic animals such as cows, goats, donkeys and pigs.
“We plead for swift intervention, including by the Kiambu county government, so the disease can be identified and treated before it gets to us and our livestock. We feel that our lives are in danger too because we are living with a killer disease which we don’t understand,” Charles Kariuki said.
Even worse, residents have difficulty accessing veterinary services and resort to herbal concoctions for animal health.
“We have tried the herbal medicine on the dogs but it hasn’t worked and that’s why we are calling out for help before all canines are wiped out in the entire village and before the disease spreads to other villages,” Kariuki said.
