KENTTEC Boosts Tsetse Fly Control Efforts to Safeguard Agriculture and Public Health
Kiteto mentioned that sleeping sickness is a neglected tropical disease that has affected Kenya in the past, with the last reported case being in 2009.
Seliphar Machoni
Tsetse fly infestation is a significant threat to agriculture, public health, and the tourism sector in Kenya, according to Isaiah Kiteto, the Director of Surveillance and Control at the Kenya Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Council (KENTTEC).
Kiteto made these remarks on Monday during the Pre-Madaraka Day Agriculture Exhibition at Kibabii University grounds in Bungoma where he emphasized that tsetse flies are a multi-sectoral problem, as they transmit Nagana disease, which affects livestock productivity and causes sleeping sickness in humans.
“Tsetse flies are not just a threat to livestock; they also transmit sleeping sickness in humans. This disease poses a serious health risk, affecting countless lives. We must address this issue with a coordinated effort to protect both our people and our animals,” Kiteto said.
Kiteto mentioned that sleeping sickness is a neglected tropical disease that has affected Kenya in the past, with the last reported case being in 2009.
He also explained that tsetse flies impact crop production in tsetse-infested areas, where farmers rely on livestock for draught power in land preparation and cultivation.
"An animal sick with the Nagana disease cannot pull an ox plow due to its poor body condition. This impacts farmers who depend on such machinery for agriculture. In addition, an animal can die from Nagana disease if early diagnosis and treatment is not done," he added.
He also highlighted the impact of tsetse flies on the wildlife sector, explaining that they are found in conservation areas because they have easy access to their food source, which is animal blood.
"While wildlife is not affected by Nagana disease, they are affected by the animal Trypanosomes disease when bitten by tsetse flies. The rhinoceros is the most endangered wildlife species hence requires protection," he said.
Kiteto further warned that tsetse flies pose a significant risk to tourism, as tourists would want to avoid visiting parks or reserves infested with tsetse flies. Therefore, it is crucial to intensify control measures for tsetse flies in conservation areas.
Kiteto attributed the change in tsetse fly distribution to the global climate change crisis, noting that areas previously considered non-tsetse infested due to lower temperatures are now affected.
"The climate change crisis has resulted in increased temperatures, causing the expansion of tsetse-infested areas," he explained.
Kiteto identified Bungoma as one of the counties most affected by tsetse fly infestation.
"Sirisia and Bumula sub-counties in Bungoma County are the most affected areas. KENTTEC has been working with community groups there to control tsetse flies through livestock spraying and the deployment of insecticide-treated targets," he said.
Kiteto advised farmers to use appropriate spraying pumps and adopt livestock protective fencing to control tsetse fly infestation. The process involves placing a treated net around zero-grazing units for farmers who use this method to rear their livestock.
The Director further explained that they deploy traps developed based on research findings and the biology of the flies to determine if an area has tsetse flies. These traps consist of blue and black materials because research has shown that tsetse flies are attracted to the color blue and tend to hide in dark places. Phenols and acetone are used as attractants to lure the flies into the trap as they mimic the smell of urine and breath emitted by their hosts, whether wild or domestic animals.
