ILRI joins KSPCA and Nairobi County in rabies vaccination campaign

KENYA – The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) has joined Nairobi City County and the Kenya Society for the Protection and Care of Animals (KSPCA) in an ongoing rabies vaccination campaign across the capital this March, targeting high-risk areas such as Uthiru and Kawangware following a recent fatal case linked to a dog bite.

Staff from ILRI registered with the Kenya Veterinary Board are supporting the exercise as vaccinators, while additional teams are assisting with field data collection to improve tracking and response efforts.

The campaign officially began on March 16 and is being rolled out in phases across multiple sub-counties. 

Vaccination and outreach activities are scheduled to run from March 20–21 at Kabete Field in Uthiru, along Kapenguria Rd, followed by operations in Kawangware on March 27–28. 

Further vaccination days are planned for April 10–11 and April 17–18 in Kangemi, with exact venues to be communicated. All sessions will run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Rabies remains a major public health concern in Kenya despite being fully preventable. 

Health authorities estimate that more than 98% of human rabies cases are linked to domestic dogs, making mass vaccination a critical control strategy. 

Once symptoms appear, the disease is almost always fatal, underscoring the urgency of early intervention and prevention.

The current effort builds on a wider county-led campaign launched earlier in 2026, which was described as the largest rabies vaccination drive in Nairobi’s history. 

Led by the Nairobi County Government in collaboration with KSPCA, the initiative targeted more than 10,000 dogs and cats across multiple sub-counties, including Kasarani, Embakasi, Dagoretti, Makadara, and Kamukunji. 

Vaccinations were offered free of charge to increase access and participation.

While full official results have not been publicly detailed, recent updates from campaign partners indicate that nearly 5,000 animals have already been vaccinated in the latest phase alone, suggesting steady progress toward broader coverage targets. 

Public health guidelines indicate that vaccinating at least 70% of the dog population is necessary to break transmission cycles.

The campaign brings together veterinarians, researchers, and animal welfare groups to expand vaccination coverage among dogs and other animals.

Expanding partnerships and community reach

The campaign has attracted growing support from industry and civil society. 

The Kenya Small and Companion Animal Veterinary Association (KESCAVA) contributed 600 doses of rabies vaccines along with syringes and other supplies to support field operations. 

Additional outreach efforts are targeting underserved communities and free-roaming animals, which are often at higher risk of spreading the virus.

Parallel initiatives are also emerging.

A youth-led campaign in partnership with TNR Trust Nairobi is organising free vaccination and sterilisation clinics in Dagoretti, reflecting increased grassroots involvement in rabies control efforts.

Authorities continue to emphasise responsible pet ownership, including annual vaccination, controlled animal movement, and immediate medical attention following bites. 

Public awareness campaigns are being integrated with vaccination drives to improve community understanding of prevention measures.

Rabies control remains a key component of Kenya’s broader One Health approach, which links human, animal, and environmental health. 

Sustained vaccination campaigns, combined with public education and coordinated surveillance, are essential to eliminating the disease.

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