Nairobi, Kenya – Kenya’s Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has issued a call to action for scientists and global partners to
Nairobi, Kenya – Kenya’s Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has issued a call to action for scientists and global partners to eradicate trypanosomiasis, a parasitic disease that costs the country an estimated $143 million (Sh18.5 billion) annually. Speaking at the 37th International Scientific Council for Trypanosomiasis Research and Control Conference in Nairobi, Kagwe underscored the economic and social devastation caused by the disease and its vector, the tsetse fly.
The disease, which affects 38 African countries and infests about 23% of Kenya’s landmass, poses a significant threat to livestock productivity and food security, particularly in rangelands where the majority of the country’s livestock is reared. Kagwe highlighted the government’s progress, noting that Kenya was recently validated by the World Health Organization for eliminating Human African Trypanosomiasis, or sleeping sickness, as a public health problem.
“This milestone was made possible through the collaborative efforts of various ministries, communities, and development partners,” Kagwe said. He emphasized that freeing the country’s rangelands from the tsetse menace would significantly contribute to the government’s economic agenda of increased livestock productivity and improved livelihoods.
However, the fight is far from over. Dr. Huyam Salih, director of the African Union’s InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources, warned against complacency. She noted that trypanosomiasis continues to pose a formidable obstacle to sustainable agriculture and public health, with an estimated annual economic impact of $5 billion across tsetse-infested regions. The disease also puts 50 million cattle at risk, with an annual death toll of 3 million.
Both leaders stressed the need for a unified “One Health” approach, which recognizes the deep interconnection between livestock production, ecosystem integrity, climate change, and public health. They identified key challenges, including fragmented institutional coordination, inadequate funding, climate change, and growing parasite and insecticide resistance. They called for accelerated efforts and greater collaboration to unlock the power of innovation in the fight against this persistent threat.
trypanosomiasis, a parasitic disease that costs the country an estimated $143 million (Sh18.5 billion) annually. Speaking at the 37th International Scientific Council for Trypanosomiasis Research and Control Conference in Nairobi, Kagwe underscored the economic and social devastation caused by the disease and its vector, the tsetse fly.
The disease, which affects 38 African countries and infests about 23% of Kenya’s landmass, poses a significant threat to livestock productivity and food security, particularly in rangelands where the majority of the country’s livestock is reared. Kagwe highlighted the government’s progress, noting that Kenya was recently validated by the World Health Organization for eliminating Human African Trypanosomiasis, or sleeping sickness, as a public health problem.
“This milestone was made possible through the collaborative efforts of various ministries, communities, and development partners,” Kagwe said. He emphasized that freeing the country’s rangelands from the tsetse menace would significantly contribute to the government’s economic agenda of increased livestock productivity and improved livelihoods.
However, the fight is far from over. Dr. Huyam Salih, director of the African Union’s InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources, warned against complacency. She noted that trypanosomiasis continues to pose a formidable obstacle to sustainable agriculture and public health, with an estimated annual economic impact of $5 billion across tsetse-infested regions. The disease also puts 50 million cattle at risk, with an annual death toll of 3 million.
Both leaders stressed the need for a unified “One Health” approach, which recognizes the deep interconnection between livestock production, ecosystem integrity, climate change, and public health. They identified key challenges, including fragmented institutional coordination, inadequate funding, climate change, and growing parasite and insecticide resistance. They called for accelerated efforts and greater collaboration to unlock the power of innovation in the fight against this persistent threat.
