Poisoned pasture could have been the cause of death of 160 cattle in Nyakach.

 Committee Executive Member in charge of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Gilchrist Owuor Okuom address the press in Kisumu where he said they suspectthat the 160 animals which died in Nyakach could have consumed poisoned pasture from a common grazing ground that is also used by wildlife-Photo By Dickson Odhiambo.



By Dickson Odhiambo.

March 28, 2018.

Poisoned pasture could have been the cause of death of 160 cattle in Nyakach.

ABOUT 160 cattle which died yesterday in Nyakach Sub-County within Kisumu County might have been as a result of poisoned pasture, the County Government of Kisumu has said.

Committee Executive Member in charge of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Gilchrist Owuor Okuom says a preliminary laboratory tests conducted by the County Directorate of Veterinary accompanied by laboratoty scientists from Regional Veterinary Investigation Laboratory in Kericho County rules out infection but points to possibility of poisoning.

Addressing the press at his office today, Okuom said from the clinical and epidemiological picture, a tentative diagnosis of possible poisoning from a common source has been arrived at.

“We suspect that the animals could have consumed poisoned pasture from a common grazing ground that is also used by wildlife,” Okuom says.

He says additional tests on environmental sample are to be done at the Government Chemist in Nairobi.

He says the affected area include Asao Location where 30 households have lost 100 cattle and Rang’ul location where 12 households have lost 60 cattle which have died as a result of the incident.

Okuom says the county Government still waits for a comprehensive laboratory reports and urges the community not to consume meat or use part of the carcasses.

“We also urge the locals to report any deaths to the veterinary offices, livestock production offices and any administrators within their area of residence,” he adds.

Okuom urges the local community to avoid communal grazing and common watering points as well as burying or burning the dead animals.

ENDS: