08/11/2025
KIWAYU Outreach Vet Clinic 14 – 18 Oct. 2025 – A very special event!
We went back to Kiwayu the most remote island north of the Lamu archipelago close to Somalia for a second outreach veterinary clinic. This time, the agenda was to ‘clear it all’: vaccinate, treat and neuter the largest number of animals.
Off they went on that very early Tuesday morning, loading the boat with all equipment and medicines. Kuku and mayai, ugali and lots of sugar for the many cups of chai to sustain the team in their long days of hard work were taken along as food stuff is much more expensive on location. After a stopover at Manda airstrip to pick Dr Maina Peterson, our former veterinarian and Dr Christine Kerubo who, from Nairobi completed the team with Dr Collins and Saidi, all headed off to destination by speedboat steered by master Captain Anwar.
Upon arrival an hour and a half later, the base station was set-up in Kiwayu Cha Nje Village, a settlement of about 600 inhabitants counting more animals than people. The place being deprived of any veterinary intervention, the top priority was to vaccinate as many animals as possible against rabies starting with roaming dogs often exposed to wildlife therefore presenting a greater risk of infecting domesticated animals. In total 120 doses of rabies were administered. Most stray cats are connected to households who feed them albeit frugally with whatever leftovers they have.
In addition to the 25 done last year, 40 more cats were neutered. 51 cats and kittens were given a health check then dewormed, some treated for mange, cat flu, and other minor conditions. One sad case of mouth cancer in a cat put to sleep was the only casualty. 37 dogs and 12 puppies were dewormed, treated against the dreadful mango worms while 7 of these were neutered. 36 donkeys were dewormed, treated for wounds on their backs, legs and flanks while husbandry was provided to 27 head of cattle around the communal borehole at the nearby village of Kisimani for trypanosomiasis (tsetse fly sickness), eye infections and to one cow presented with an uterus infection. Lastly, 13 goats were dewormed, of which 4 received treatment against pneumonia.
On a couple of interludes, a short session of sensitization with the local dog owners was duly done under the village landmark tree to complete the assignment.
Everybody contributed their efforts; from the village elder Mr. Shali Shee, the Police officers at the local station to those who lend a hand with carrying equipment to assembling the large cages and rounding up animals to get them to the meeting points. We thank the vet clinic premises’ owner Hussein Ali, the guest house Salim Kahindi who ensured the team gets a well-deserved rest after a long day of hard work and the mamas who cooked the most delicious meals. To Lali, our local coordinator whose assiduity and precious assistance ensured the smooth running of the whole operation. Last but not least, to the brilliant team of four who’s achieved so much. Thank you very much.
A word of thanks goes to Dr Felix Rachuonyo, Director – Lamu County Veterinary office in Mokowe for the provision of rabies vaccines.
Finally, the LAWC heartfelt thanks and appreciation go to our great supporter, Ms Sue Townsend of www.ortigiasicilia.com who sponsored the whole event. Asanteni sana!
