Turkana University College Partners with the Directorate of Veterinary Services and Kenya Women Veterinary Association (KWVA) for the “Kick Rabies and Hydatidosis out of Turkana” One Health Campaign
3rd September 2026
We were honoured to host a delegation from the, Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), the Kenya Women Veterinary Association (KWVA) and Turkana County Government for a courtesy call to the Principal, Prof. George Chemining’wa and members of the University Management. The visit marked a key engagement under the “Kick Rabies and Hydatidosis out of Turkana” One Health Campaign, implemented by the Turkana County Government’s Directorate of Veterinary Services in partnership with KWVA.
The delegation was led by Dr. Azegele Allan, Director of Veterinary Services, and Dr. Anima Sirma, who headed the Kenya Women Veterinary Association team, alongside representatives of the Turkana County Government. The visit marks the culmination of a five-year collaboration between KWVA, and the County Government aimed at combating rabies and hydatidosis through mass dog vaccination, humane dog population management, community education, and capacity building.
The engagement, anchored on the One Health approach, focused on two key institutional activities: a student mentorship session and a tree-planting exercise within the University. The mentorship session brought students into direct dialogue with professionals from the veterinary, public health, environmental, and development sectors, with discussions centred on the role of One Health in preventing zoonotic diseases, strategies for rabies and hydatidosis prevention and control, the link between environmental conservation and public and animal health, and career pathways in veterinary medicine, public health, and environmental sciences. The tree-planting exercise, undertaken as a symbolic commitment to environmental stewardship and climate resilience, reinforced ecosystem protection as a core pillar of the One Health agenda.
Over its five-year run, the Turkana Rabies and Hydatidosis Control Project has vaccinated more than 1,000 animals against rabies, treated over 250 donkeys, and sterilized 240 animals, according to figures shared by KWVA during the visit. Dr. Azegele also used the occasion to renew a call for Turkana University College to establish a Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, arguing that a dedicated faculty would build the local capacity needed to train and supervise community animal health workers across the county. Prof. Chemining’wa affirmed that the University intends to introduce veterinary training in phases, starting with certificate courses once it receives its charter.
To sustain the impact of this partnership, Turkana University College, through the office of the Deputy Principal, Research, Innovation and Linkages, Prof. Peter Edome, will continue to champion collaboration with the Directorate of Veterinary Services and the Kenya Women Veterinary Association. The University remains committed to embedding One Health principles within its research, innovation, and community engagement agenda, and to empowering students as ambassadors for disease prevention, environmental sustainability, and community service across Turkana County.