Projects in Kenya – A Summary

Strategies for Control of Coccidia Infections in Chicken in Kenya and Tanzania, while Maintaining the Efficacy of Anticoccidials

Project Team: L.W. Njagi, J.C. Nganga, N. Maingi, E. Mafie

Scientist in the Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Nairobi and the Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, Sokoine University of Agriculture are currently implementing a research and capacity building project funded by the World Association for Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology Africa Network (WAAVP-AN). The three years (1st April 2025 to 31st March 2028) project aims at enhancing the control of coccidiosis in chickens in Kenya and Tanzania, while maintaining the efficacy of available anticoccidials. Coccidiosis is one of the most common and economically important diseases of chickens globally. In Kenya and Tanzania, anticoccidial drugs are widely used to control the infections, without clear regulations. In addition, the prevalent species of Eimeria in the chickens in these countries are unknown and there is no documentation of the use of the drugs and their effectiveness.

This project will bridge these gaps through research and enhance capacity and availability of information on diagnosis and control of coccidiosis among relevant stakeholders. The impact will be improved chicken health, productivity, higher incomes, reduced use of commercial anticoccidials, minimize risks of drug resistance and production of drug-free chicken products.

Innovative Strategies in Transboundary Vector-Borne Disease Management: From Transmission Insights to Cutting-Edge Diagnostics and Resistance Analysis

Project Team: D. Souleymane, B. Kebede

The livestock sector is a crucial catalyst for economic growth and development in Eastern Africa, sustaining livelihoods via pastoralism and agro pastoralism. In Kenya’s dry and semi-arid regions, as well as in Ethiopia, livestock serves as the primary source of income and currency for pastoral people, significantly augmenting household revenues. The climate-resilient strategy for pasture access via transhumance creates optimal conditions for the proliferation of vector-borne diseases, particularly trypanosomiasis, and tick-borne diseases, especially in areas with substantial wildlife reservoirs. The transboundary movement of livestock exacerbates the risks of disease outbreaks and fosters the emergence of resistance to antimicrobials and acaricides, complicating disease management. This project tackles these significant concerns by investigating the influence of transhumance in disease transmission dynamics and enhancing diagnostic and management strategies.

The project combines entomological and parasitological surveys with innovative diagnostic techniques, including LAMP-CRISPR, to enhance the sensitivity, specificity, and cost-effectiveness of field-deployable equipment for detecting vector-borne infections. Furthermore, it evaluates pastoralists methodologies in vector and disease management, correlating this with the incidence of acaricide and anti-microbial resistance. The project end goal is to develop actionable insights, innovative tools, and capacity-building initiatives to strengthen veterinary parasitology, improved disease management tools that will support sustainable pastoralist livelihoods in the region.

Tackling Acaricide Resistance in East Africa

Project team: H.K. Kiara, P. Vudriko, T. Bazarusanga, Y. Petro

Acaricide resistance in ticks presents a growing threat to livestock production, public health, and environmental sustainability in East Africa. This challenge is particularly acute in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda, where livestock systems are already under pressure from climate change, limited access to veterinary services, and inconsistent acaricide use. To address this urgent issue, the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), in collaboration with Makerere University (Uganda), the Tanzania Public Health Association (TPHA), the Directorates of Veterinary Services in Kenya and Rwanda, and Farmer Solutions Rwanda, is leading a regional research initiative aimed at mitigating acaricide resistance through a comprehensive, evidence-based approach.

The project seeks to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to acaricide use among farmers and veterinary stakeholders, while also examining policy frameworks, economic implications, and drivers of resistance. In addition, it will investigate both phenotypic and genotypic resistance mechanisms in tick populations across the four countries, with a particular focus on resistance to organophosphates and amitraz-based acaricides. The study will generate critical data on the prevalence and patterns of resistance in different production systems and tick species, laying the groundwork for targeted interventions.

A key component of the project involves standardizing and validating acaricide resistance bioassay protocols based on guidelines from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). This effort will support the establishment of reliable regional reference laboratories capable of consistent acaricide resistance testing, which is currently lacking across East Africa as well as support capacity building lab staff on acaricide resistance testing. By doing so, the project will significantly enhance regional capacity for resistance monitoring and management.

Ultimately, the project aims to propose practical, evidence-based strategies and policy recommendations to guide acaricide use and resistance mitigation. The findings will be instrumental in shaping regional policies and practices to preserve the effectiveness of acaricides, safeguard animal and human health, and support the resilience of livestock-based livelihoods in East Africa.