Villagers, especially farmers in Kiang'ondu, are now a worried lot, claiming the government has done little to help them and are calling on the national and county governments to step in and stop the disease from spreading. Among those affected is Mutwiri Mutegi, a farmer, who claimed that a county livestock department representative had toured the village once but did not enforce quarantine in the face of the deadly disease.
"This disease has been here close to a month now and some symptoms such as the cows legs swelling are easily noticeable," said Mutegi. He claimed that when they reported the matter, the officers demanded bribes, which they could not afford.
On their part, veterinary officers who toured the region said the signs and symptoms portrayed by the animals could be those of ramp skin and anthrax, a deadly disease that is highly contagious. Reports indicated that over the last one week, 20 cows have died and more than 30 households have animals that are already infected.
The farmers are now demanding for an apology from the livestock department due to the loses they have incurred so far, while at the same time urging the county government for assistance following the tragedy that has befallen them.
Back in October, over 200 residents of Karandine Village in Imenti South, Meru County were rushed to hospital after consuming meat suspected to be from a cow infected with anthrax.In July an Anthrax outbreak had been reported in Rongai, Nakuru West and Nakuru East sub-counties.Following the outbreak, the county department of agriculture livestock and fisheries enforced quarantine in all the affected areas.
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