Markets face closure due to dog carcasses
Story by EDWARD KOECH
Publication Date: 2007/04/26
The Government plans to close markets and hotels at Kapenguria in West Pokot District to avert an outbreak of water-borne diseases.
The Health ministry said the plan follows the dumping of more than 300 carcasses of dogs by Kapenguria council in the town.
District public health department sounded the alarm over an imminent outbreak of diseases after the council disposed of the dogs at the main source of water a few metres away from Makutano trading centre in Kapenguria Division.
Yesterday, public health officers issued a three-day ultimatum to the council to collect the carcasses and bury them elsewhere or have all hotels and markets in the area closed.
Domestic purposes
They were dumped at the source of River Chewoiyet. More than 500 families use water from the driver for domestic purposes.
The agricultural divisional headquarters located near the dump site remains closed due to a stench emanating from the area that has been invested by house flies for four days.
District veterinary officer Charles Toroitich said the site was a health hazard and asked the council to bury the dogs.
Rev William Loupa of the Reformed Church of East Africa said the council should be held responsible in case of any disease outbreak. But town clerk Joel Lomuk said the veterinary department did not inform his office about killing of the dogs on time. He said council workers were overwhelmed by the high number of dogs killed. He revealed that more people had been hired to bury the carcasses.
Kapenguria residents have protested against the council for dumping carcasses at the source of river Chewoiyet.
