Veterinary Services Programme

KENDAT through the Heshimu Punda Programme is focused on building sustainability in the provision of veterinary services for working donkeys and other livestock in Kenya.

This will be achieved through building the capacity of veterinary service providers, creating viable and sustainable networks with County and National Governments and other stakeholders. These processes are ongoing in the following counties; Kirinyaga, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, Meru, Laikipia, Nyandarua, Kiambu and Nairobi.

To achieve the goal above, KENDAT has undertaken the following initiatives:

1

Training and mentoring Local Animal Health Service Providers.

  • Over 2000 Veterinary Surgeons, Veterinary Paraprofessionals and 50 community farriers on animal welfare, donkey health and husbandry practices.

2

 Linkage of the trained Local Animal Health Service Providers to the donkey owners within their areas of operation to improve access to quality veterinary service for the donkeys.  Over 250 service providers have been linked to donkey owning communities.

3

Collaboration with County Governments on Disease Control and Prevention Campaigns. Disease has a great impact in the overall welfare of livestock and human livelihoods. Over 50,000 animal owners have benefited from the following campaigns.

  • Rabies vaccination campaigns for dogs and donkeys in Nairobi City, Kiambu and Embu counties
  • Ectoparasite prevention and control campaigns for donkeys in Embu and Meru counties
  • Hoof care clinics for donkeys in Nyandarua and Kiambu counties

4

Emergency case response. KENDAT has a team of well-trained veterinarians that responds to emergency cases of injured donkeys across the project area. These cases are later referred to the trained veterinary professionals for follow up.

5

The KENDAT veterinary team participates in local and international scientific conferences, Continuous Professional Development Trainings, Guest Lectures and seminars to disseminate information on animal welfare and veterinary services provision through sustainable community structures to help improve veterinary policies and practices.