A section of livestock farmers in Kasipul constituency are decrying the loss of their animals following the outbreak of a strange disease that kills cattle within 24 hours.
Farmers at Kasire village, Kodera North Location have lost more than 15 cattle in the last two weeks but they have failed to comprehend the nature of the disease.
David K’Ouko and Kennedy Athiambo said affected animals die within 24 hours after infection.
K’Ouko said symptoms of the disease manifest as swollen hind limbs and drooling of saliva.
Attacked animals also become too weak to stand and collapse easily before dying. K’Ouko said he has lost two cows to the disease.
“The disease attacked my two cattle and they died within 24 hours. I was shocked when I learnt that my neighbour’s cow also died in a day,” K’Ouko said.
Speaking to journalists over the matter, Athiambo said the disease has claimed the lives of his three cattle.
He said many of them cannot understand the disease and what causes it.
They have appealed to veterinary officers to help them stop the spread of the disease.
Athiambo said deaths of the cattle are a serious loss since they are their key source of livelihood.
“Most of us rely on cattle for milk, ploughing and other economic gains. The deaths have interfered with our livelihoods,” he said.
Other farmers are also complaining of deaths of their livestock as a result of the disease.
The farmers called on the department of livestock in the county to intervene and salvage the situation.
The farmers expressed concerns that more cattle will die in the area should there be delayed mitigation measures.
“Let the county department of livestock intervene in the matter as quickly as possible to prevent more loss of cattle,” Athiambo said.
Kodera North Location Chief Joseph Omoro said preliminary investigations indicated that at least 15 cattle have died as a result of the disease.
He said some farmers had buried their livestock without reporting to his office.
“There are farmers who have reported the matter to my office and others who have not. I have directed the affected farmers not to eat such meat,” Omoro said.
Homa Bay chief officer for Agriculture and Livestock, Samuel Owigo, said he had sent his officers to the ground to assess the situation.
“The officers are taking blood samples of the affected animals for testing before they identify the disease. We are appealing for collaboration with residents to enable identify the disease for appropriate action,” Owigo said.
