Ngurubani, Kirinyaga County – July 19, 2025: Residents of Ngurubani and nearby villages in Tebere Ward, Kirinyaga County, are living in fear after a spike in stray dog attacks in Kirinyaga left one man dead and several others injured.
The latest fatality, Kennedy Odinga Obwao, a resident of Kiamanyeki village, died at Kerugoya Hospital after being bitten by a stray dog. His tragic death has triggered renewed demands for emergency intervention from the county government.
Related: Inside Kenya’s Unchecked Stray Dog Menace
First Attacks Reported in February
The initial cases emerged on February 13, 2025, when two children from Kithogongo slums were mauled by stray dogs and rushed to Kimbimbi Sub-County Hospital for urgent care. Since then, dozens of similar attacks have been reported across Ngurubani, with no visible response from local authorities.
“This isn’t just a nuisance — it’s a growing public health threat,” said a village elder. “People are scared to leave their homes, even during the day.”
Rabies Fears and Health Concerns Escalate
With limited access to post-bite treatment such as anti-rabies and tetanus vaccines, residents fear that additional fatalities are imminent. Health experts warn that failure to act could result in a public health crisis in rural Kirinyaga.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 59,000 people die from rabies annually worldwide, with Africa accounting for 36% of these cases. The majority of infections are transmitted via dog bites.
Community Demands Immediate County Action
Locals are now urging the Kirinyaga County Government to take the following actions immediately:
- Launch an emergency stray dog control program
- Provide free or subsidized rabies vaccines
- Improve access to rural healthcare services
- Conduct public awareness campaigns on dog bite prevention and treatment
Local leaders have also called for collaboration with veterinary and health officials to develop humane dog population control strategies and prevent the spread of rabies.
As of this report, the Kirinyaga County Department of Health has not issued an official statement regarding the fatality or provided a timeline for intervention. Attempts to reach county health officials for comment were unsuccessful.
