The Kenyan government has unveiled a bold national strategy aimed at eliminating dog-mediated rabies by the year 2030, marking a major step toward ending a disease that claims dozens of lives across the country each year.
Speaking at the launch event in Nairobi, Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha outlined the government’s comprehensive plan, which includes mass dog vaccinations, increased access to post-exposure treatment, and heightened public awareness campaigns.
“Our goal is simple but urgent — zero deaths from dog-mediated rabies in Kenya by 2030,” Nakhumicha said. “We are deploying a nationwide, multisectoral approach that prioritizes prevention, rapid response, and education.”
Under the new strategy, the government will begin a large-scale dog vaccination campaign, targeting 70% of the canine population in both rural and urban areas. Officials say this threshold is critical for breaking the transmission cycle of the virus.
The plan also ensures that all county hospitals are equipped with adequate supplies of rabies vaccines and immunoglobulins to treat bite victims quickly and effectively. Training for health workers and veterinary officers will be intensified to improve early detection and response.
The Ministry of Health is working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, county governments, and animal welfare organizations to implement the plan. The “One Health” approach recognizes that human health, animal health, and the environment are interconnected.
In addition, nationwide awareness campaigns will be rolled out in schools, marketplaces, and communities to educate the public on how to prevent dog bites and what steps to take if exposed.
The initiative will initially focus on 10 high-risk counties where rabies cases are most prevalent, before expanding nationwide. A newly established Rabies Control Task Force will coordinate the campaign’s implementation, monitor progress, and publish annual updates.
Experts have praised the plan as timely and necessary. According to health data, rabies causes nearly 2,000 deaths in Kenya annually, with children under 15 being the most affected.
Kenya joins other countries in aligning with the World Health Organization’s global target of zero human deaths from dog-transmitted rabies by 2030.
With strong government backing and multi-agency coordination, authorities are optimistic that Kenya can become rabies-free within the next decade.
