By Bisola Adeyemo
The government of Kenya has vowed to eradicate tsetse flies, which have been damaging and transmitting a disease that devastates livestock in Shimba Hills National Reserve in Kwale County.
tsetse flies are bloodsucking flies of the genus Glossina. They occur only in tropical Africa and are important as vectors of African trypanosomiasis, popularly called sleeping sickness in both humans and animals. Sleeping sickness, is generally fatal in humans if left untreated.
A research conducted by Kenya Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Council (KENTTEC), revealed that the population of tsetse flies has increased to alarming levels thus the need to put in place an integrated control campaign to eradicate the blood-sucking flies.
Speaking to the press at Shimba Hills National Reserve during monitoring of the tsetse fly research, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Kenya Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Council, Dr Pamela Olet, said the increase in tsetse flies in the park was alarming to wildlife and farmers in Kwale County.
Dr Oleti added that wildlife species such as black rhinos in the park were highly affected by tsetse flies, consequently endangering the species.
“We lose a lot of money because our wildlife which is attractive to global tourists is slowly becoming extinct and that’s the reason the government is coming up with plans to address this problem,” Dr Olet said.
She noted that the wildlife reserve area is also home to the tsetse fly, which transmits trypanosomosis which is often a disease that reduces fertility, weight gain, meat and milk production in animals like cattle.
While calling on government intervention, Dr. Olet said tsetse fly has been neglected by the county government in its policy formulation.
“We want to see the county government setting a budget for tsetse fly eradication programmes because this problem is viewed as microscopic but it’s affecting the economy. Farmers are incurring losses every season since their animals cannot meet international standards,” Dr. Olet said.