Farmers in Kinyach location, Baringo North are counting loses after losing hundreds of goats following respiratory infection that caused deaths.
According to the farmers, the infection that has affected goats of more than 20 farmers for one month now has caused death of over 500 goats.
Julius Kandagor, a resident in the area said that he had lost more than 100 goats to the deadly infection.
The devastated farmer noted that his goats showed signs of flue and cough before they dropped dead after a few hours.
“It started with one goat. The affected goat had problems with breathing before it started coughing and had a high fever,” said Kandagor.
According to him, the disease that spreads very fast among the animals has caused a major setback to him and his family.
Within a short period of time, the farmer had lost more than half his goats, adding that his efforts to stop the spreading of the infection bore no fruits.
“When an infected animal came into contact with others that are healthy, they become infected. I have lost many goats in a span of one month and am afraid that I might lose more if no action is taken by the department of agriculture,” added the farmer.
Area chief, Wilson Lokabwo said that the last time such an incident occurred was in 2007 when hundreds of goats died.
Lokabwo said he was receiving reports daily from farmers affected and called on veterinarians to visit the area and help livestock farmers.

He said the infection could have been transmitted by goats bought from different market centres in the region.

“People of this area buy goats from different markets including Kolowa and Kinyach market where farmers from neighbouring counties also sell their livestock. There is a high possibility that this infections are brought into our markets from other places,” said the chief.
The chief however added that when the dead animals are looked into, their lungs are found to be swollen an indication that the infection could be respiratory related.
“When we cut open the dead goats, the lungs are swollen and they are highly concentrated with water if not rotten. This clearly shows that the infections affect the respiratory system of the goats,” he said.
Another farmer Jackson Kiplong’ said he had lost more than 40 goats in the last the last one week.
According to Kiplong’ his goats became sick after coming into contact with other goats which had been infected while at the grazing fields.

“The infection spreads fast and kills within days. My goats became sick after they came into contact with others that were already affected,” said Kiplong’
Their efforts to contact the agricultural department for help have ever since bore no fruits.
“We have contacted them several times but they have only made promises to visit the affected farmers to assess the situation but that has never materialised,” said the chief.